Objective　 To detect the relationship of p53 and bcl-2 gene to laryngeal carcinoma. Methods　p53 and bcl-2 protein expressions were examined in the specimens of 60 laryngeal carcinomas and 8 vocal cord polyps by immunohistochemistry method. Results　 Overexpressions of p53 and bcl-2 were found in the laryngeal carcinoma specimens; the positive rates of p53 and bcl-2 protein expression were 61.7%(37/60) and 43.3%(26/60), respectively. Nagative results were observed in all the vocal cord polyp specimens. The positive rates of p53 and bcl-2 expression were related to the histological grade and cervical lymphatic metastasis of laryngeal carcinoma but not related to clinical stage and tumor types. Conclusion　 The results of this study support the hypothesis that p53 and bcl-2 gene may be involved in the apoptosis of laryngeal carcinoma and they may play an important role in the pathogenesis of laryngeal cancer.