Abstract: Objective :To investigate the expression of VEGF-C and its receptor VEGFR-3 in esophageal squamous carcinoma, and the relationship between their expression and tumor lymphaticmetastasis. Methods :The expression of VEGF- C and VEGFR- 3 mRNA was examined by RT- PCR in32 cases of the esophageal squamous carcinoma and 10 cases of the normal esophageal mucosa, followed by the further analysis on the relationship between VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 expression and clinicalpathological parameters. Results :VEGF-C mRNA was detected in 22 of 32 (68.75%)neoplastic esophageal lesions, and VEGFR-3 mRNA expressed in 18 cases of the VEGF-C mRNA positive tissues. There was a statistically positive correlation between the incidence of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 mRNA (P<0.01). The expression of VEGF-C mRNA was significantly associated with the depth of tumor invasion and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05, P<0.01, respectively), but not to the patient age, tumor size or differentiation. The expression of VEGF-G VEGFR-3 mRNA in normal mucosa was under detectable level. Conclusions :VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 may act as key factors in the facilitation of lym-phatic metastasis in esophageal squamous carcinoma.