We used an epigenomic approach in paired primary tumour/lymph node metastasis from the same patients in order to ensure a similar genetic background; we have identified the specific presence of CpG island promoter hypermethylation-associated silencing of the cell-adherence gene Cadherin-11 (CDH11) in the disseminated cells. Here, CDH11 is linked to metastatic malignant neoplasm in the lymph nodes.