ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of growth arrest-specific 5 (GAS5) mRNA and its clinical significance in hepatocellular carcinoma.MethodsThe expression of GAS5 mRNA in the hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and corresponding adjacent tissues were detected by real time-PCR. The relationship between the expression of GAS5 mRNA and clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed by SPSS 19.0 software.ResultsThe expression of GAS5 mRNA in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues was significantly lower than that of the adjacent tissues (P<0.01). The expression of GAS5 mRNA was related to tumor size, tumor number, lymph node metastasis, clinical TNM stage, alpha fetoprotein level, and tumor differentiation (P<0.05). Cox hazard model results showed that low expression of GAS5 mRNA was associated with poor prognosis (P<0.05).ConclusionGAS5 mRNA is expected to be a diagnostic and prognostic marker for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.