Background: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and closely associated with the proliferation and invasion of HCC cells and animal models. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of NGAL in patients with HCC. Methods: Expression of NGAL was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in tumor tissues from 93 patients who underwent curative resection of HCC. The association of NGAL expression with the clinicopathologic features was analyzed. Results: NGAL were highly expressed in 48 (51.6%) cases. There was no significant difference in age, sex, etiology, preoperative AFP levels, Child?Pugh, tumor size, tumor differentiation between the NGAL (+) and NGAL (-) groups. Vascular invasion and tumor recurrence were also similar between two groups. NGAL expression was not associated with overall survival of patients. Conclusions: Although expression of NGAL in HCC cells significantly inhibited the growth of HCC cells, reduced the invasive potential of cells, and inhibited the expression of MMP-2 in vitro and in vivo, our data demonstrated the NGAL expression was not associated with vascular invasion status, tumor recurrence and overall survival of patients with HCC.