Objective: To quantitatively detect the expression level of PRL-2 in primary hepatocellular carcinoma using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. Methods: Total RNA isolated from human HCC and liver tissue adjacent to the tumor was reversely transcribed into cDNA. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (Q-PCR) method was used to analyze the expres-sion level of PRL-2 gene. Results: The Q-PCR method was performed successfully to precisely detect RNA level. PRL-2 was expressed in all portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) and HCC, but only in some paratumor tissue. The highest expression level of PRL-2 gene was recorded in PVTT; meanwhile expression level of PRL-2 was higher than that in paratumor liver tis-sues and in HCC (P