Hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） is one of the most common malignant tumors， and its high morbidity， high mortality rate， and low survival rate are the basic features of the epidemiology of HCC in China. It has been found that phospholipase A2（PLA2） is involved in the complex processes of phospholipid digestion and metabolism， immune defense and signaling， and actively participates in the inflammatory response of liver tissue， hepatocyte survival， proliferation and apoptosis， and the process of hepatocellular carcinogenesis and development. This paper introduces the role of PLA2 in the development of HCC and points out that PLA2 can be used as a new idea and drug target for drug development and clinical control of HCC.