ObjectivesTo analyze the average daily medical expenditures for primary liver cancer in China from 2002 to 2011.MethodsThis study employed retrospective survey on multiple centers from 12 provinces and cities in China from 2002 to 2011, based on the continuous data from the Cancer Screening Program in the Urban China Project. The average daily medical expenditures of primary liver cancer patients and influencing factors were analyzed.ResultsA total of 11 045 liver cancer patients from 12 provinces and cities were included, with an average age of 55 and an average duration of hospitalization of 16.76 days. The average daily medical expenditures of liver cancer patients during the 10 years was 1 251 yuan (95%CI 1 236 to 1 266). The average daily medical expenditures was significantly different in regions (1 356 yuan in the east region, 1 209 yuan in the middle region and 1 068 yuan in the west region), types of hospital (1 341 yuan in general hospitals, 1 213 yuan in specialized hospitals) and hospital levels (1 293 yuan in 3A grade hospital, 805 yuan in non-3A grade hospital) (P<0.05). The average daily medical expenditures were 1 253 yuan for stage Ⅰ, 1 169 yuan for stage Ⅱ, 1 167 yuan for stageⅢ and 1 092 yuan for stage Ⅳ (P<0.05). From 2002 to 2011, the average daily medical expenditures of hospitalization increased from 1 079 yuan (95%CI 1 021 to 1 136) to 1 549 yuan (95%CI 1 486 to 1 613), with an average growth rate of 3.69%. Since 2007, a continuous growth was observed. Subgroup analysis suggested there were obvious differences in growth patterns between different regions and hospitals, as well as differences between various treatments.ConclusionsThe average daily medical expenditures of liver cancer in China had been increasing from 2002 to 2011 and there were significant differences between various regions and hospital levels. Combined with data on the change of duration of hospitalization, it can provide reference for the economic evaluation of the nation’s prevention and treatment policies for liver cancer.