Objective: To explore the expression and significance of heparanase in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) regarding prognosis and clinicopathological parameters. Methods: The expression of heparanase was assessed using immunohistochemistry staining and Western blot in 122 paraffin-embedded specimens and 38 freshly taken tissues. The relationship between heparanase expression and the clinicopathological factors was analyzed by Chi-square test, multivariate analysis and Kaplan-Meier method. Results: In the immunoreactive cells, staining was mainly located in cytoplasma and membrane. Human heparanase was highly expressed in lung cancer tissue (78.7%, 96/122) while negative in epithelia of normal lung tissues. The level of heparanase was remarkably higher in NSCLC than that in normal tissue (P=0.043). Expression of heparanase significantly correlated with TNM stage (P=0.025), lymphatic metastasis (P=0.002) and vascular invasion (P=0.0003). The patients with positive heparanase expression had a significantly shorter survival than those with negative heparanase expression (P=0.0006). In multivariate analysis, only p-TNM stage, lymphatic metastasis and vascular invasion could be considered as prognostic factors. Conclusion: Elevated level of heparanase in human non-small cell lung cancer tissues correlates with the TNM stage, invasion, metastasis and prognosis. However, heparanase expression is not an independent prognostic factor. Objective: To explore the expression and significance of heparanase in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with prognosis and clinicopathological parameters. Methods: The expression of heparanase was assessed using immunohistochemistry staining and Western blot in 122 paraffin-embedded specimens and 38 freshly taken tissues. The relationship between heparanase expression and the clinicopathological factors was analyzed by Chi-square test, multivariate analysis and Kaplan-Meier method. Results: In the immunoreactive cells, staining was mainly located in cytoplasma and membrane. Human heparanase was highly expressed in lung The level of heparanase was remarkably higher in NSCLC than that of normal tissue (P = 0.043). Expression of heparanase significantly correlated with TNM stage (P = 0.025), lymphatic metastasis (P = 0.002) and vascular invasion (P = 0.0003). The patients with positive heparanase expression h In a multivariate analysis, only p-TNM stage, lymphatic metastasis and vascular invasion could be considered as prognostic factors. Conclusion: Elevated level of heparanase in human non-small cell lung cancer tissues correlates with the TNM stage, invasion, metastasis and prognosis. However, heparanase expression is not an independent prognostic factor.