Using multivariable Cox regression analysis, which included group, age, hepatitis, AFP, ALB, TB, ALBI grade, ascites, maximum tumor size, tumor number, BCLC stage, and Child–Pugh grade, as well as variables related to the size of intrahepatic recurrent lesions after the first recurrence, number of intrahepatic recurrent lesions, extrahepatic metastases, vascular invasion, and BCLC stage after recurrence, the analysis revealed that only the tumor number was statistically significant. Here, AFP is linked to hepatitis A virus infection.