Is serum alpha-fetoprotein useful for predicting recurrence and mortality specific to hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy? A test based on propensity scores and competing risks analysis.

Background Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is frequently used to predict posthepatectomy outcomes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but its predictive value is still not established. Therefore, we assessed the prognostic significance of AFP status.