AIM: To investigate the expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and its clinical significance in hepatic cellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: The NOS1, NOS2 and NOS3 of 51 cases of HCC and 46 cases of liver tissue beside carcinoma (LTBC) were detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The expressive rates of NOS1, NOS2 and NOS3 in LTBC were significantly higher than those in HCC ( P