Abstract: Objective : In order to explore the expression and significance of the erbB family, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), C-erbB-2, C-erbB-3 and C-erbB-4 in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues. Methods : Immunohisto-chemistry was employed to determine the expression of erbB family in 55 cases of HCC and their adjacent liver tissues. Results : The positive rate of EGFR in the HCC tissues (58.18%, 32/55) was markedly higher than that in the adjacent liver tissues (36.36%, 20/55)(P<0.05). The positive rate of C-erbB-4, was significantly lower in the HCC tissues (47.27%, 26/55) than that of in the adjacent liver tissues (72.73%, 40/55)(P<0.05). However, no signif-icant differences of positive rates of C-erbB-2 and C-erbB-3 in HCC tissues were observed (P>0.05)compared with their corresponding liver tissues, respectively. The expression of EGFR in the HCC tissues was significantly correlated with the clinical stage, the portal vein tumor thrombus, the presence of extrahepatic metastasis, and the recurrence of tumor; the expression of C-erbB-2、C-erbB-3 and C-erbB-4 were not correlated with the clinicopathological parameters. Conclusions : The results suggest that EGFR relates to the initiation and development of HCC. EGFR can be considered as predictive markers for treatment of HCC; C-erbB-2 and C-erbB-3 may not be involved in the initiation and progression of HCC, but the lower expression of C-erbB-4 may be relate to the initiation of HCC.