A positive association of VEGF-C expression with lymph node metastasis has been reported in head and neck cancer, thyroid cancer, lung cancer, oesophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer and prostatic cancer (Bunone et al, 1999; Tsurusaki et al, 1999; Yonemura et al, 1999; Kajita et al, 2001; Kitadai et al, 2001; Tang et al, 2001; Kawakami et al, 2003; Neuchrist et al, 2003; Yokoyama et al, 2003). The gene discussed is VEGFC; the disease is thyroid cancer.