['Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) proteins play a multitude of important functions in liver pathophysiology. Recent studies have indicated associations of rs7574865 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the STAT4 gene with various autoimmune diseases. The association between STAT4 polymorphism and the risk of HCC has been analyzed in several studies, but results remain inconsistent. This study used a meta-analysis approach to comprehensively investigate the correlation between STAT4 polymorphism and HCC risk based on previously published literatures.', 'Studies were searched from the database of PubMed, EMBase, Web of Science, and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure up to 31 December 2015. The meta-analysis was conducted based on statement of preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA).', "Eight published studies, consisting of 7,503 HCC patients (case) and 13,831 without HCC individuals (control), were included in the present study. Meta-analysis of the included studies revealed that STAT4 rs7574865 polymorphism contributed to the risk of HCC under all four genetic models, consisting of the allelic model (G vs T:OR\u2009=\u20091.25; 95%CI\u2009=\u20091.19-1.30), the dominant effect model (GG\u2009+\u2009GT vs TT: OR\u2009=\u20091.52; 95%CI\u2009=\u20091.26-1.84), the recessive effect model (GG vs GT\u2009+\u2009TT: OR\u2009=\u20091.35; 95%CI\u2009=\u20091.21-1.50), and the co-dominant effect model (GG vs TT: OR\u2009=\u20091.72; 95%CI\u2009=\u20091.42-2.10) comparisons. No publication bias was indicated from both visualization of the funnel plot and Egger's test."] Does meta-analysis reveal an association of STAT4 polymorphism with hepatocellular carcinoma risk?