Abstract: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent primary liver cancer that is driven by cumulative changes in the hepatocyte genome which were influenced by the liver microenvironment. The tumor microenvironment is a dynamic system, including cancer cells, stroma, the extracellular matrix. tissue hypoxia, diet, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microflora and circulating microvesicles, etc, The liver microenvironment plays a pivotal role in HCC tumerigenesis, progression and therapeutic efficienry. The study of the HCC microenvironment will provide new insights into the mechanism of tumourigenesis and potential novel targets in the treatment of HCC.

Key words: cancer, liver, microenvironment, hepatocellular carcinoma