Subgroup analysis suggested that there was a significant association of COX-2 overexpression with the lymph node metastasis and T stage of laryngeal cancer (lymph node metastasis, total, OR = 2.11, 95% CI: 1.38–3.23, P < 0.05, in Asians, OR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.53–3.60, P < 0.05; T stage, total, OR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.49–3.20, P < 0.05, in Asians, OR = 2.52, 95% CI: 1.66–3.83, P < 0.05), and heterogeneity among studies was significantly decreased in the subgroup analysis based on ethnicity. This evidence concerns the gene PTGS2 and metastatic malignant neoplasm in the lymph nodes.