The role of bcl-2 in the pathogenesis of colorectal tumor were studied. The expression of bcl-2 in the colorectal carcinoma and incisional edge tissue of tumor was detected by using SABC method. The results showed that the positive rate of bcl-2 was 69.6% in colorectal carcinoma and 47.6% in the incisional edge tissue respectively, with the difference being very significant (P = 0.001). Bcl-2 positive rate was associated with Dukes' stage, but had nothing to do with histological classification. It was concluded that bcl-2 might play a significant role in the development of colorectal carcinoma.