Abstract Background Pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) is a secreted protein that strongly suppresses angiogenesis and directly inhibits cancer cells proliferation. The differential expression of PEDF has been observed in multiple types of human tumors. However, it is unclear as to how PEDF expression is associated with cancer progression and if PEDF could serve as a prognostic marker for cancer patients. Methods We performed a comprehensive search for the studies on PEDF expression in 14 top-ranked types of solid tumor cancer with the highest incidence. A systemic approach was used to screen for qualified studies and to extract data. Meta-analysis was performed to investigate if PEDF expression is associated with the TNM staging, tumor size, lymph node invasion, distal metastasis and pathological grade of tumor in a pan-cancer manner. A Kaplan–Meier curve was plotted with the digitally-reconstituted patient survival data to study the effect of PEDF expression on the prognosis of cancer patients. Results A total of nine studies were selected, reviewed and analyzed. Meta-analysis suggested that decreased PEDF protein expression was associated with higher TNM staging (OR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.61–2.81), larger tumor size (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.1–1.84), larger possibility of lymph node invasion (OR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.26–2.22) and higher pathological grade (OR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.2–2.13). No correlation was found between PEDF expression and tumor distal metastasis, gender or age. In addition, low PEDF protein level in tumor tissue is correlated with shorter overall survival (P
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