Objective:To investigate the expression and gender disparity of protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor-type O (PTPRO) in human hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),the correlation of PTPRO with carcinoma recurrence after hepatectomy,and whether PTPRO can be served as a desirable prognostic index. Methods:PTPRO expression of HCC tissue and adjacent tissue in 59 male and 22 female patients were determined by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry(IHC),as well as estrogen receptors(ERs). Gender disparity of PTPRO and ERs and the correlation between PTPRO and ERs were analyzed by t test,correlation analysis and F test;The correlation between PTPRO level and post-hepatectomy recurrence rate of HCC patients were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier curve and log-rank test. Results:Expression of PTPRO and ER-琢 in HCC tissues were significantly lower than adjacent cirrhotic tissues(P < 0.000 1);Expressions of PTPRO and ER-琢 of adjacent tissue was lower in male than in female (P < 0.05);Expression of PTPRO was negatively correlated to recurrence of HCC patients(P < 0.000 1). Conclusion:PTPRO is a potential tumor suppressor with gender disparity,and can serve as a candidate for predicting recurrence after surgical resection of HCC.