There was a close correlation between a loss of the c-kit expression and lymph node metastasis in the present study, while no significant correlation between the c-kit expression and lymph node metastasis was found in other studies (Chui et al, 1996; Simon et al, 2004; Ulivi et al, 2004). This evidence concerns the gene KIT and metastatic malignant neoplasm in the lymph nodes.