Objective To explore the effect of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization ( TACE ) on the apoptosis proteins fas,bax,and bcl-xl in hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC ) . Methods Sixty-three cases with HCC proved by histopathologically were studied, which included 42 cases treated with surgical resection alone,and 21 cases underwent TACE . The expressions of fas,bax,bcl-2 and bcl-xl were detected with immunohistochemical SP method .Results The positive rate of fas was 47.62% ( 10/21 ) in HCCs treated with TACE,and 21.43%(9/42) in those treated with surgical resection alone, there was significantly difference between the two groups(?0.05). Conclusion TACE can increase the expression of fas and decrease the expression of bcl-xl, it can increase the rate of apoptosis of HCC, make HCC lesion contract. The effect of TACE to bax need more research.