Objective To investigate the clinical significance of quantification of hepatitis B virus in patients with primary liver cancer. Methods Totally 59 patients with primary liver complicated by hepatitis B cirrhosis as well as 82 patients with simple hepatitis B cirrhosis who were admitted into our hospital during February 2015 to February 2016 were enrolled in this study as observation group and control group, respectively. HBV markers including HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAb, and HBV DNA were measured. Results The content of HBsAg and HBeAg in observation group was significantly decreased compapred with that in control group (P < 0.05). No obvious differences in HBsAb, HBeAb and HBV DNA were identified in two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion Content of HBsAg and HBeAg may decrease along with the progression of hepatitis B cirrhosis, which may develop into liver cancer, however. Hepatitis B cirrhosis patients should continue on anti-virus treatment for further prevention of liver cancer.