Another study conducted in the US between 2004 and 2011 (n = 518) demonstrated that in untreated patients with HCC, advanced BCLC stage (A vs. D), MELD score (10–19 vs. <10, ≥20 vs. <10), and AFP level (≥1000 vs. <10 ng/mL) were predictive of 12-month mortality (17). Here, AFP is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.