In order to investigate if the recombinant human growth hormone(rhGH) is suitable for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) treatment,we used radioreceptor assays to detect if growth hormone receptor(GHR) was presented in 32 HCC tissues.The results showed that the growth hormone specific singular binding site,namely GHR,was detected in 28 cases. The binding capacity(R T ) of GHR was 18 4300?4 1633fmol/mg.protein and affinity constant(Kd) was 0 6432?0 1961nmol/L R T was lower ( P 0 05). The R T of the GHR was negatively correlated to the tumor's size,but was not correlated with differentiation of tumor, or the co existence of cirrhosis,GHR was absent in 4 cases. This study showed that the majority of the HCC tissue still express a low level of GHR. Before their functions are well understood, rhGH should be very carefully used in HCC patients.