ALB and hepatocellular carcinoma: Patients who developed HCC showed significantly older age (55 vs. 53 years); higher HBeAg positivity (47.4% vs. 36.7%); lower platelet count and serum albumin level; and higher values of baseline and follow-up LS (14.3 vs. 10.3 kPa, and 11.8 vs. 8.7 kPa, respectively), compared to those without HCC (Table 2).