A panel of common IHC markers was selected—including hepatocyte markers hepatocyte paraffin antigen 1 (HepPar-1) and Glypian-3, cytokeratin (CK) proteins CK18 and CK19, angiogenesis-related CD34, canalicular staining marker CD10, epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers vimentin (VIM), melanocyte marker HMB45, and tumor proliferation and aggressiveness marker Ki-67—based on its diagnostic value with respect to carcinogenesis, development, and invasiveness of HCC. The gene discussed is VIM; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.