Objective:To determine whether alpha-fetoprotein(AFP) messenger RNA(mRNA),a specifically hepatocyte-expressed gene,could be a marker of metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods:Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 30 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).A sensitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction( RT-PCR) technique was used to detect the human AFP mRNA in the blood.Results:Of the 30 HCC patients,14(46.7%) patients had positive AFP mRNA.The presence of AFP mRNA correlated with the TNM clinical stages,the size of tumor,extrahepatic metastasis or with portal vein carcinothrombosis(P0.05).Conclusion:The positive of AFP mRNA in the peripheral blood can indicate the presence of hematogenous metastasis in patients with HCC.