Abstract: Objective To investigate the value of hepatocyte growth factor ( HGF ) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in the diagnosis of early stage non-small cell lung cancer (ES-NSCLC) through detection of their levels in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid ( BALF ) . Methods Serum and BALF samples were collected from 48 cases of ES-NSCLC ( at stage 1 and 2 ) , 45 cases of medium and advanced NSCLC (at stage 3 and 4), 42 cases of benign pulmonary nodule and 30 controls for the study. The levels of HGF and TGF-β1 were respectively detected by ELISA, and their differences were analyzed between the 4 groups. The relationship between HGF and TGF-β1 levels and tumor size, differentiation and pathological type was further analyzed, and sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of ES-NSCLC was evaluated in the study. Results The levels of HGF and TGF-β1 in BALF of the ES-NSCLC group were significantly higher than those in the benign pulmonary nodule group and the normal control group (P <0. 05). HGF and TGF-β1 serum levels in the ES-NSCLC group were higher than those in the benign pulmonary nodule group and the control group, however, no statistical significance could be seen when comparisons were made between them ( P >0. 05). Serum HGF and TGF-β1 levels in the BALF of the medium and advanced NSCLC group were significantly higher than those in the ES-NSCLC group (P<0. 05). The areas under the curve (AUC) in the BALF of HGF and TGF-1 were respectively 0. 754 and 0. 839. When the levels of 59. 32pg/ml and 98. 52pg/ml were selected as the optimal cutoff values according to the Jordan index maximum method, the sensitivity of HGF and TGF-β1 in the diagnosis of ES-NSCLC were respectively 41. 7% and 81. 3%, and specificity were respectively 96. 3% and 77. 8%. Furthermore, in the patients with adenocarcinoma or tumor size larger than 3cm in diameter, higher expression levels could be detected. Conclusion High expression levels of HGF and TGF-β1 could be detected in the BALF of the patients with ES-NSCLC with high specificity. For this reason, it has certain clinical value in the accessory diagnosis of ES-NSCLC.