Objective:To investigate the expression of vimentin protein in renal cell carcinoma and try to clarify its association with the clinicopathologic features and clinical outcome. Methods:RCC samples were obtained from 103 patients treated with radical nephrectomy. The mean follow-up period was 51.2 months. Expression of vimentin was tested by Western blot and compared with the clinicopathologic features such as tumor size, stage, grade, metastasis and survival. Results:Vimentin expression was up-regulated significantly in RCC compared with tumor-free kidney, associated with tumor size(P = 0.002), presence of metastasis(P < 0.001), high pT stage(P < 0.001), high-grade(P < 0.001) and low survival(95.8% vs 72.7%,P = 0.002). Univariate analysis revealed the significance of vimentin expression in renal cell carcinoma(P < 0.05). Conclusion:The results of this study suggest that overexpression of vimentin is associated with progression and recurrence of renal cell carcinoma. Thus, vimentin is a useful instrument for this condition.