Objective To analyze the expression of erythropoietin （EPO） and erythropoietin receptor （EPOR） in hepatocellular carcinoma （NCC） and normal tissues,and their relationship with hepatocyte microvessel density （MVD）. Methods Thirty specimens of hepatocellular carcinoma hepatectomy were selected from our hospital. The liver tissue at the edge of the tumor was taken as a control,and 10 cases of normal liver tissue were used as a negative control. The expression levels of EPO and EPOR in each tissues were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）,and microvessel density （MVD） was detected by immunohistochemistry. The differences of EPO,EPOR and MVD between each tissues were compared. The relationship between EPO,EPOR,MVD and tumor pathological features in NCC was analyzed. The relationship between EPO and EPOR expression levels and MVD was analyzed. Results In HCC tissues,EPR,EPOR and MVD were higher than those in adjacent tissues and normal tissues. The difference was statistical difference （P<0.001）. EPR,EPOR and MVD were not statistically significant in adjacent tissues and normal tissues. P>0.05）. The levels of EPR,EPOR,and MVD in tumors with tumor size >5 cm,invasion of the capsule,distant metastasis,and high-differentiation were higher than those of tumor size ≤ 5 cm,no capsule invasion,no distant metastasis,and poor differentiation. The difference was statistical difference （P < 0.05）. Person correlation analysis showed that the correlation coefficient between EPO expression level and MVD was r=0.651 （P<0.001）,and the correlation coefficient between EPOR expression level and MVD was r=0.620 （P<0.001）. Conclusion EPO,EPOR and MVD are highly expressed in HCC,and are related to tumor size,local invasion,distant metastasis and differentiation. The mechanism may be related to EPO and EPOR increasing MVD.