Abstract: Objective: To examine the expression of RECK mRNA and protein in esophageal carcinoma(EC). Methods: RECK expression was detected by RT-PCR and SP immunohistochemical methods in 62 cases of EC tissue, 31 cases of mucosa adjacent to cancer, and 62 cases of normal esophageal mucosa. Results: The relative content of RECK mRNA was 1.052±0.078 in cancer tissue, 1.274±0.235 in mucosa adjacent to cancer and 1.306±0.121 in normal mucosa tissue, with a significant difference (F=49.936, P<0.05) among the three types. The relative content of RECK mRNA was significantly related to the differentiation levels, depth of invasion and lymph node metastasis (F=5.081, F=26.084, U= 24.011, P<0.05). The positive rate of RECK protein expression was 59.7%(37/62) in cancer tissue, 71.0%(22/31) in mucosa adjacent to cancer and 85.5% (53/62) in normal mucosa tissue. There was a significant difference among the three groups(P<0.05). There was a significant difference in RECK protein expression among different differentiation levels, depths of invasion and status of lymph node metastasis (P<0. 05). Conclusion: The expression of RECK mRNA and protein is lower in EC tissues, suggesting that the RECK gene may play a part in oncogenesis of EC. Detection of the expression of both RECK mRNA and protein may be used for early diagnosis and prognostic judgment of EC.