The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between the expression levels of the tumor suppressor gene phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and the microRNA (miRNA) miR-92 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and paracancerous tissue. Immunohistochemistry [streptavidin-peroxidase (SP)] and quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT‑PCR) were used to detect the expression of PTEN and miR-92 in 15 cases of HCC and the corresponding paracancerous tissues. The correlation between PTEN and miR-92 was analyzed. The expression of PTEN mRNA and protein was significantly lower in HCC compared with that in paracancerous tissues (P<0.05). miR-92 showed the opposite expression pattern (P<0.05). Additionally, the mRNA levels of PTEN and miR-92 showed a significantly negative correlation with each other (r=-0.858, P<0.05). In conclusion, PTEN and miR-92 have different roles in the development of HCC. The combined detection of PTEN and miR-92 may provide critical clinical evidence for the early diagnosis and prognosis of HCC.