The key findings of this meta‐analysis are that XPD gene Asp312Asn was a candidate locus predisposing individuals to hepatocellular carcinoma, and for the widely evaluated variant Arg399Gln in XRCC1 gene, country, sample size, hepatitis B virus infection and source of controls might confound its association with hepatocellular carcinoma. Here, ERCC2 is linked to hepatitis B virus infection.