Abstract: ObjectiveTo determine the expression of CD24 in colorectal carcinoma, and to explore the relationship between CD24 and the clinicopathological features of colorectal carcinoma. MethodsThe expression of CD24 in 62 cases of colorectal carcinoma, 47 cases of adenomas, 15 cases of colorectal polyps and 30 cases of the adjacent noncancerous tissues were observed by immunohistochemical assay. The relationship between CD24 and the clinicopathological features was analyzed. ResultsThe positive rates of CD24 in colorectal carcinoma 72.6% and adenomas 63.8% were significantly higher than those in colorectal hyperplastic polyps 13.3%（χ2＝17.83, P＝0.00; χ2＝11.61, P＝0.00）and adjacent noncancerous tissues 6.7%（χ2＝35.15, P＝0.00; χ2＝24.64, P＝0.00）.  The expression of CD24 in colorectal carcinoma had a significant correlation with the tumor diameter （χ2＝5.48， P＝0.02）, tumor differentiation （χ2＝8.86， P＝0.00）, Duke staging （χ2＝11.47， P＝0.00） and lymph node metastasis （χ2＝8.92， P＝0.00）. ConclusionThe expression of CD24 is high in colorectal carcinoma, having a significant correlation with the size of tumor, degree of differentiation, Duke stage and lymph node metastasis.

Key words: Colorectal neoplasms, Antigens, CD24, Immunohistochemistry