ObjectiveTo study the expression of survivin protein in primary hepatocellular carcinoma(PHC) and its relationship to the proliferation of the tumor cells and prognosis of PHC. MethodsThe expression of survivin protein and the proliferation of tumor cells marked by proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in 48 cases of PHC were determined by immunohistochemical method. ResultsThe survivin protein was expressed in 31 of 48 cases of PHC (64.6%). The expression of PCNA was significantly higher in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with positive survivin expression than in HCC with negative survivin expression. The patients with positive survivin expression had the worse prognosis than those with negative survivin expression. ConclusionThe expression of survivin may play an important role in the proliferation of PHC cells and closely associate with the prognosis of PHC, and probably become the prognostic factor and an important target of therapy.