Abstract: Objective:To investigate the role and significance of VEGF-C/ FLT-4 in lymphatic metastasis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSC) and hypopharynx squamous cell carcinoma (HSC). Methods: The expressions of VEGF-C and FLT-4 were detected with the immunohistochemical SP method and the image analysis method, followed by further analysis of the relationship between VEGF-C/FLT-4 expression and lymph nodal metastasis. Results: The positive rates of VEGF-C and FLT-4 were 69.4%(34/49) and 44.9% (22/49) in 49 cases LSC and HSC. The expressions of VEGF-C and FLT-4 were significantly higher in lymph-node-positive groups than in node-negative groups (P<0.05). There was a statistical correlation between VEGF-C and FLT-4 expression in tumors (P<0.05).Conclusions: VEGF-C and its receptor FLT-4 play an important role in the development of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and hypopharynx squamous cell carcinoma, and the tumors with expressions of VEGF-C and FLT-4 are more likely to have lymph nodal metastasis. VEGF-C and FLT-4 may be a useful biological marker()foresee the metastasis and prognosis of cervical lymph node.