In the Multivariate Cox analysis of overall survival (OS), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) ≥ 100 ng/mL (hazard ratio (HR), 2.74, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.17–6.44; P = 0.021) and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) B/C stage (HR, 3.98, 95% CI, 1.68–9.43; P = 0.020) were found to be independent poor prognostic factors in HCC patients undergoing resection. Here, AFP is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.