AFP and hepatocellular carcinoma: Since the number of tumor lesions and size, high preoperative alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level, microvascular invasion (MVI), macrovascular invasion, macrovascular tumor thrombus, poor tumor grade and incomplete tumor capsules are widely accepted as independent risk factors associated with early recurrence of HCC after resection [4,5,6,7], preventive intervention for these patients is necessary.