To explore whether NOD2 polymorphisms were associated with risks of overall cancer and specific cancer subtypes, we performed a meta-analysis on the association between the four most frequently studied NOD2 polymorphisms (rs2066842 C/T, rs2066844 C/T, rs2066845 C/G and rs2066847 insC) and cancer risk in the present study. Here, NOD2 is linked to cancer.