Compared with imaging detection, it is relatively cost effective and, therefore has high patient compliance.11 Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is widely used in the clinical diagnosis of HCC, but its diagnostic value remains to be discussed.12,13 Alpha-fetoprotein can be increased in patients with pregnancy, chronic or active liver disease, and gonadal embryo-derived tumors,14 which will also reduce the efficiency of AFP for eHCC screening. Here, AFP is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.