Herein, univariate analysis by Cox hazard model showed that age>60 years (HR (95% CI) = 2.34 (1.15–3.86); p = 0.07), vascular invasion (HR (95%CI) = 2.19(1.19–2.82); p = 0.0001); advanced TNM stage (HR (95% CI) = 3.10 (1.61–5.12); p = 0.0001), lower hepatic expression of GHR (HR (95%CI) = 3.8(1.98–5.67); p<0.0001); lower hepatic expression of STAT5 (HR(95% CI) = 1.71(1.22–2.43); p<0.01, and lower hepatic expression of IGF-1 (HR(95%CI) = 2.3(1.27–2.99); p = 0.0061) were significantly related to worse OS in HCC patients. The gene discussed is IGF1; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.