We identified age at diagnosis, alcohol abuse, tumor size ≥ 5 cm, tumor number ≥ 2, portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT), Child-Pugh stage C, white blood cells, total bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase, γ-glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, AFP ≥ 400 ng/ml, and C-reactive protein as independent risk factors for overall survival in HCC patients. The gene discussed is AFP; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.