Objective    To observe the distribution  of KCs in liver in human primary hepatocellular carcinoma and investigate the significance.     Methods    KCs were confirmed by immunochemistry of CD68. Image Tool 3.0 software and JEM 2000 electron microscope were employed to define the distribution of KCs in normal human liver tissues

cancer tissues

tissues around and apart from cancer

as well as the number of KCs in different differentiated cancer tissues.     Results    The KCs revealed orbicular-ovate

astroid or fusiform

the number was （21.6±7.8）

（68.8±9.1）

（62.0±1.9） and （36.2±4.1） respectively in liver cancer tissues

tissues around cancer

tissues apart from cancer

and normal human liver tissues (P0.01)

and the number decreased with the degradation of differentiation degree (P0.05). Electron microscopy found infiltrations of neutrophils

lymphocytes and eosinophile granulocytes

increased number of KCs in hepatic sinusoid in the tissues around cancer

and increased phagosomes and lysosomes in KCs.     Conclusion    KCs are confirmed greatly activated in liver cancer tissues. The number of KCs declines in liver cancer tissues but increases in tissues around cancer and apart from cancer compared to normal human tissues. This indicates that KCs may participate in the defense to liver cancer by intricate means.