ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase9 (MMP9) and the recurrence or metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsThe expression of VEGF and MMP9 in 50 HCC tissues and in 30 normal liver tissues were examined by immunochemistry.ResultsThe positive rates of VEGF and MMP9 in HCC tissue were 86% and 68% respectively, and 53.3% and 33.3% respectively in normal liver tissue. The positive rates of VEGF and normal liver tissue (Plt;0.05). The correlation between expressions of MMP9 and VEGF was very significant (r=0.98，Plt;0.01). The positive rates of VEGF and MMP9 in HCC with metastasis were higher than that of HCC without metastasis.ConclusionVEGF and MMP9 are expressed cooperatively. Both of them play important role in the invasion and metastasis of HCC.