Objective: To investigate the expression of metastasis associated 1(MTA1) in human hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and adjacent tissues,and its correlation with survival and recurrence,to consequenthy determin whether MTA1 is a suitable prognostic index for prognosis or not. Methods: The transcription and translation of MTA1 gene in HCC tissue,corresponding adjacent tissue,and normal tissue samples were determined by quantity real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry(IHC),and the correlation between MTA1 and survival and recurrence of HCC patients was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier curve followed by log-rank test. Results: The transcription and translation of MTA1 gene were significantly higher in the HCC tissues and the adjacent cirrhotic tissues compared to the normal liver tissues(P < 0.01). Expression level of MTA1 was related to survival and recurrence rates of the HCC patients. Conclusion:MTA1 was a suitable prognostic index predicting survival and recurrence after surgical resection of HCC.