However, elevated tumor markers (CEA, CA199, AFP) were significantly associated with higher mortality risk (CEA: P for overall = 0.001, P for non-linearity = 0.014; CA199: P for overall = 0.018, P for non-linearity = 0.034; AFP: P for overall = 0.011, P for non-linearity = 0.008) (Supplementary Figures S4H–J). Here, AFP is linked to neoplasm.