[Correlation of cyclooxygenase 2 expression with microlymphatic density and its clinical significance].

Objective: To study the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in esophageal carcinoma and its correlation with microlymphatic density (MLD), and to investigate the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of COX-2 and MLD in patients with esophageal cancer.

Methods: COX-2 expression and MLD were detected by immunohistochemistry in 100 cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Follow up was available in 76 patients.