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<0.01), and it was higher in HCC than that in paratumor liver tissues. Conclusion: The Q-PCR may be the most precise method to quantitatively detect RNA level and can be used in gene expression changes. The PRL-2 gene has higher expression in PVTT than that in HCC and in paratumor liver tissue cells, indicating that it plays an important role in the development and metastasis of the HCC.