Objective To study the expression and significance of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2, MMP-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) 1 and TIMP-2 in nasal cavity squamous cell carcinoma and their signification. Methods Fifty cases of epithelial carcinoma tissue and 50 cases of normal nasal tissue were detected for MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2 by immunohistochemistry technique (S-P), and their relationship between the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and some clinical symptoms were analyzed. The SPSS 12. 0 software was used to analyze the data. Results The positive ratio of expression of MMP-2 in 50 cases of epithelial carcinoma was 52. 0% (26/50), which was significantly higher ( x2 = 6. 00, P ＜0. 05 ) than those [28.0% (14/50)] in the normal nasal tissue. The positive ratio of expression of MMP-9 in 50 cases of epithelial carcinoma was 58.0% (29/50), which was significantly higher ( x2 = 12. 8, P ＜ 0. 05 ) than those [10. 0% (5/50)] in the normal nasal tissue. The positive ratio of expression of TIMP-1 in two groups was 74. 0% (37/50), 56. 0% (28/50) respectively.There was no difference between two groups ( x2 = 0. 51, P ＞ 0. 05 ). The positive ratio of expression of TIMP-2 in two groups was 26. 0% ( 13/50), 20% (10/50) respectively. There was no difference between two groups( x2 = 3.35, P ＞ 0. 05). Conclusions There was a close relationship between pathogenesis and development of nasal epithelial carcinoma and the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 in the epithelial carcinoma tissues. Both MMP and TIMP, especially the unbalance of MMP and TIMP, have prognostic value in nasal cavity squamous cell carcinoma.