Serum galectin-3 level was significantly higher in the patients with HCC compared to the healthy volunteers or the patients with chronic hepatitis (MD = 2.71, 95% CI = 1.56–3.85, p < 0.001) with a significant heterogeneity (I2 = 86.9%, p < 0.001). The gene discussed is LGALS3; the disease is chronic hepatitis.