ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of tumor metastasis associated genes-1 (MTA1) and vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and the relationship between them and lymphangiogenesis. MethodA total of 107 patients who received excision for ESCC in the Cardiothoracic Surgery Department of Suining Central Hospital from March 2013 through January 2014 were enrolled. And the paraffinembedded esophageal tissues in 56 healthy persons were collected. The expression of MTA1 and VEGF-C in ESCC was detected using the immunohistochemical method. And D2-40 was used to label the micro-lymphatic endothelial cells of the tumor tissues while the micro-lymphatic vessel density (LVD) was counted. Meanwhile, a statistical analysis was performed for the relationship between MTA1 with VEGF-C and clinical pathological parameters. ResultsThe expression rates of MTA1 protein and VEGF-C protein in ESCC (50.4% and 58.8%, respectively) were higher than those in normal esophageal tissues with a statistical difference (P<0.05). Besides, their high expression rates in stage T3/T4 ESCC and lymph node metastasis group were significantly higher than those in stage T1/T2 ESCC and metastasisfree group, with statistical differences (P<0.05). The high expression rates of MTA1 and VEGF-C protein in ESCC with different TNM stages were compared using Kruskal-Wallis test with statistical differences (P<0.05). Moreover, a positive correlation existed in the expression level between MTA1 protein and VEGF-C protein of ESCC (Spearman coefficient r=0.512, P=0.000). And LVD of the high expression group for MTA1 protein and VEGF-C protein was statistically different from that of the low expression group (P<0.05). ConclusionThe expression of MTA1 is positively correlated with the expression of VEGF-C in ESCC. And they may co-promote lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis in ESCC. Therefore, both can be used as the laboratory indicators to determine the prognosis of ESCC.