Fig. 1

Prognostic factors affecting postoperative survival of patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma (sHCC) (log-rank test). a Tumor size >2.5 cm was associated with a decrease in overall survival (OS) of patients (P = 0.001). b Tumor size >2.5 cm was associated with a decrease in recurrence-free survival (RFS) of patients (P = 0.002). c Tumor with vascular invasion was associated with a decrease in OS of patients (P < 0.001). d Tumor with vascular invasion was associated with a decrease in RFS of patients (P = 0.002). e Tumor with poor/undifferentiation was not significantly associated with a decrease in OS of patients (P = 0.511). f Tumor with poor/undifferentiation was associated with a decrease in RFS of patients (P = 0.002)