Abstract: Objective To explore the possible correlation between dynamic changes in immune function and postsurgical recurrence in patients with primary liver cancer. Methods We followed up 42 patients with primary liver cancer who had surgery between 2001 to 2010，and we measured levels of T lymphocyte subpopulations every two months.The measurements were also performed in 10 healthy control individuals.Percentages of lymphocyte subpopulations were compared between the patients and healthy controls，as well as between the 16 patients with recurrence during follow-up and the 26 patients without recurrence. Results Percentages of CD3+，CD4+，and CD8+ cell populations were significantly higher in patients than in healthy controls（P<0.05）.Among patients，T lymphocyte counts were significantly lower in the recurrence group than in the non-recurrence group（P<0.05）. In the recurrence group，the CD4+ subpopulation and CD4+/CD8+ ratio increased with longer tumor-free time after surgery，while the CD8+ and CD3+ subpopulations decreased.In the non-recurrence group，CD4+ and CD3+ subpopulations increased with longer tumor-free time after surgery. Conclusions Recurrence of primary liver cancer after surgery was associated with lower cellular immune function.Dynamic monitoring of cellular immunity may be useful for assessing recurrence risk and prognosis in primary liver cancer patients after surgery.

Key words:  Liver neoplasms, Primary liver cancer, Postoperative, Cellular immunity, Recurrence, Correlation