Cell adhesion is a basic count in inter- and intracellular communication and plays an important role in tumor progression. In this study, the expression of E-selectin, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were evaluated by means of immunohistochemistry in a group of 153 lung cancer specimens. E-selectin immunoreactivity was localized mostly on endothelial cell venules and capillaries with an average staining intensity of 75% of cells in the NSCLC, while in SCLC the intensity of the staining was 69%. The staining pattern for ICAM-1 reached an average intensity of 57%, in both NSCLC and SCLC. Finally, VCAM-1 immunoreactivity was detected only in NSCLC with an average intensity of 12% on endothelial cell venules and capillaries. This study provides a contribution towards the understanding of the basic mechanisms of cell adhesion in lung cancer progression.