To investigate the role of expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor (c-Met) in gastric cancer.The expression of HGF and c-Met was detected with SABC immunohistochemistry in 44 specimens of gastric cancer, 20 chronic superficial gastritis, 10 chronic atrophic gastritis and 16 gastric ulcer tissues.No positive expression of HGF/c-Met was found in the chronic superficial gastritis specimens. The positivity rates of HGF in the gastric cancer was 72.7% (32/44), significantly higher than that in chronic atrophic gastritis [20% (2/10), P<0.005] and gastric ulcer [37.5% (6/16). P<0.025]. The positivity rates of c-Met in gastric cancer [77.3% (34/44)] was also significantly higher than that in chronic atrophic gastritis [40% (4/10), P<0.05] and gastric ulcer [37.5% (6/16), P<0.025].Co-expression of HGF and c-Met in gastric cancer may promote the progression of the malignancy, and also opens a new pathway for the therapy of gastric cancer.