Lymphangiogenesis has recently been considered important for spread of malignant tumors. In the present study, lymphatic vessel density (LVD) including peritumoral LVD (P-LVD) and intratumoral LVD (I-LVD) was determined, respectively, by immunohistochemical staining with the antibody to LYVE-1 in 63 cases of early gastric carcinoma and 105 cases of advanced gastric carcinoma. The aim of the study is to investigate whether or not increased LVD could be a risk factor for nodal metastasis and survival. We conclude that increased P-LVD, but not I-LVD, could serve as an independent risk factor for nodal metastasis, recurrence and overall survival in gastric carcinoma.