Objective    To investigate the expressions of COX-2 and VEGF-C in breast carcinoma and their correlation with lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis.     Methods    The expressions of COX-2 and VEGF-C and D2-40 were evaluated in 46 cases of breast carcinoma by immunohistochemical staining SP methods. The lymphatic vessels density (LVD) in tumor was counted through the special marker D2-40.     Results    The positive rate of COX-2 and of VEGF-C was 73.91% (34/46) and 71.74% (33/46) respectively in breast carcinoma tissues. The positive rate of COX-2 and VEGF-C was 86.48% (32/37) and 81.08% (30/37)

and LVD was (13.350±3.097)/×200 in the lymph node metastasis group

while that in non-lymph-node metastasis group was 22.22% (2/9)

33.33% (3/9) and (9.560±2.031)/×200 respectively

with significant difference between the two groups (P0.01). VEGF-C expression was positively correlated with COX-2 expression (r=0.757

P0.01). The expressions of COX-2 and VEGF-C were positively correlated with LVD (P0.01).     Conclusion    The expressions of COX-2 and VEGF-C were high in breast carcinoma

which were closely related with tumor LVD and lymph node metastasis. A positive correlation was found between the expressions of VEGF-C and COX-2 in breast carcinoma. COX-2 may promote tumor lymphangiogenesis and metastasis of tumor lymph node by inducing VEGF-C expression.