In subgroup analysis, patients with HBV-related HCC had superior OS compared with patients with other CLD etiologies among patients with BCLC stages 0–A (p<0.001; Fig 2), serum AFP levels≧20 ng/ml (p<0.001; Fig 3), serum AFP levels <20 ng/ml (p<0.001; Fig 4), age >65 years (p<0.001; Fig 5), and who underwent curative treatments (p = 0.002; Fig 6). Here, AFP is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.