Objective To explore the correlation between up-regulation of cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) (expression) and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) angiogenesis.Methods The expression of COX-2,vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)、basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF) and angiopoientin-2(Ang-2) were examined in eighty matched sets of HCC specimens using immunohistochemistry and reverse (transcription-polymerase) chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results In HCC,the expression rate of COX-2,VEGF,bFGF and Ang-2 was 75.0%,62.5%,60.0% and 61.25%,respectively.(Immunohistochemical) staining scores of VEGF、bFGF and Ang-2 were 5.98?1.16,4.57?0.26 and(5.87)?0.12,respectively in strongly postive group of COX-2;and were 3.30?0.22,2.61?0.16 and 2.63?0.13,respectively in moderately weak postive group of COX-2.The expression rates of VEGF,(bFGF) and Ang-2 were 100.0%(95/95),94.29%(33/35) and 97.14%(34/35),respectively in strongly postive group of COX-2;and were 60.0%(15/25),60.0%(15/25) and 60.0%(15/25),respectively in moderately weak postive group of COX-2.There was significant difference in HCC(angiogenesis) between the two groups(P