Objective:To explore the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor C(VEGF-C) and lymphatic micro-vessel density in their clinical significance of melanoma tissues. Methods:The expression of VEGF-C and D2-40 labeled lymphatic micro-vessel density in melanoma were determined by immunohistochemistry. Both the correlation between VEGF-C and lymphatic micro-vessel density and the relation of their expression with clinical and pathological features of melanoma were analyzed. Then their effect on metastasis-free survival rate in melanoma were separately evaluated by survival analysis. Patients with nevi were used as control. Results:The lymphatic micro-vessel density in melanoma(14.30±4.91)was more than that in the nevi(7.64±3.08)(P < 0.01). The lymphatic micro-vessel density were higher in ulcer group than in non-ulcer group(P=0.005).There was no significant correlation between VEGF-C expression and clinicopathological characteristics(P > 0.05). The intensity of VEGF-C expression has no effect on lymphatic micro-vessel density and metastasis-free survival rate(P > 0.05). The metastasis-free survival rate in patients with melanoma,whose lymphatic micro-vessel density is more than or equal to 14.7,was significantly shorter than those less than 14.7. Conclusion:Lymphatic vessels were found within tumor. The lymphatic micro-vessel density is positively correlated with ulcer,and can predict lymph node metastasis of melanoma.