In adenocarcinomas that were highly differentiated, with tumor diameter < 2 cm, with no lymph node metastasis and no peritissue invasion, MK-1 positive expression rate was significantly higher than those that were moderately- or low-differentiated, with tumor maximum diameter ≥ 2 cm, with lymph node metastasis and peritissue invasion (P < 0.05). This evidence concerns the gene EPCAM and metastatic malignant neoplasm in the lymph nodes.