The expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 was examined immunohistochemically in a total of 87 colorectal cancer patients. The expression of MMP-2 was in cancer cells: 76.5% (sm), 16.7% (pm), in cancer interstitial region: 92.2% (sm), 58.3% (pm), in transitional mucosal cells: 74.3% (sm), 17.1% (pm) and in transitional mucosal interstitial region: 80.0% (sm), 31.4% (pm). The expression of TIMP-2 was in cancer cells: 41.2% (sm), 16.7% (pm), in cancer interstitial region: 82.4% (sm), 69.4% (pm), in transitional mucosal cells: 57.1% (sm), 22.9% (pm) and in transitional mucosal interstitial region: 89.3% (sm), 57.1% (pm). These results suggest that the expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 is induced in the sm cancer stage and is closely related to interactions in the cancer interstitial region for invasion and metastasis in patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma.