Table 2. Clinical characteristics of the subjects (n = 40).

Variables: median (range)	Healthy control (n= 10)	HCC (n = 30)	P-value
Sex (M/F)	6/4	18/12	P = 1.0
Age (years)	53.0 ± 2.2	54.3 ± 2.4	P = 0.36
ALT	27.4	38.5	P = 0.031
AST	25.7	40.2	P = 0.026
AFP (ng/ml)	2.8	1083.8	P < 0.001
HBsAg-positive	2	24	P < 0.001
Tumour size (cm)		4.5
Tumour number (1/2/3 ∼)		21/5/4
Capsule invasion (+/−)		9/21
TNM stage (I–II/III–IV)		6/24