Objective To investigate the expression of intercellular adhesion molecules-1 (CD54) in rectal carcinoma and nearby mucous membrane and its clinical significance. Methods The expression of CD54 in the tumors and the mucous membrane 2cm away from the lesions and on the colon section margin was comparatively studied by flow cytometry in 36 cases with rectal carcinoma. Results The CD54 expression of rectal carcinomas were 9.79%±5.12%, similar to that of the mucous membrance 2cm distal away from the lesions (Ｐ＞0.05) and more than that of colon section margins and control group(Ｐ＜0.05).Conclusion CD54 is highly expressed in both the rectal carcinoma and the mucous membrance 2cm distal away from the lesions. CD54 may be used as an important clinical tumor marker for rectal carcinoma and the mucous membrance 2cm away from the lesions may have the tendency for malignancy.