AIM: To pool data currently available to determine the association between statin use and the risk of liver cancer. METHODS: A computerized literature search was conducted to identify those relevant studies between January 1966 and March 2013. Stata 11.0 (Stata Corp, College Station, Texas) was used for statistical analyses. Pooled relative risk (RR) estimates with 95% CI were calculated for overall analysis and subgroup analyses, using the random-and fixed-effects models. Heterogeneities between studies were evaluated by Cochran's Q test and I-2 statistic. The Begg's funnel plot and Egger' s regression asymmetry test were used to detect the publication bias. RESULTS: Seven studies were included in our metaanalysis according to the selection criteria, including four cohort studies and three case-control studies. These studies involved 4725593 people and 9785 liver cancer cases. The overall analysis showed that statin use was statistically associated with a significantly reduced risk of liver cancer (random-effects model, RR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.49-0.76, P < 0.001; fixed-effects model, RR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.57-0.71, P < 0.001); however, significant heterogeneity was found between studies (Cochran's Q statistic = 19.13, P = 0.004; I-2 = 68.6%). All subgroup analyses provided supporting evidence for the results of overall analysis. Begg's (Z = 0.15, P = 0.881) and Egger's test (t =-0.44, P = 0.681) showed no significant risk of having a publication bias. CONCLUSION: Statin use was associated with the reduced risk of liver cancer. To clearly clarify this relationship, more high quality studies are required. (C)2013 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.