The Bax gene in laryngeal carcinoma, vocal polyp and normal laryngeal tissue were investigated respectively by the SABC immunohistochemistry. Results showed that Bax positive products were brownish yellow granules which were located in the cytoplasm of cancer cells. The positive rate of laryngeal carcinoma, vocal polyp and normal vocal gland were 60.0%(57/95), 50.0%(5/10) and 83.3%(5/6) respectively. There is a significant difference in Bax gene positive expression in laryngeal carcinoma between nonsmoking and smoking patients (P < 0.05). The 3. 5 and 10 years survival rates of Bax positive patients were 86.6%, 84.1% and 79.9% respectively. As to the negative ones, the above rates were 77.2%, 72.5% and 58.0% respectively. The survival curve in patients shown to be positive is higher than that in the negative one, the wave crest of mortality risk in positive patient is lower than that in the negative ones. These results indicated that Bax expression has applicable value in the diagnosis of laryngeal carcinoma and its prognosis and judgement.