Cancer cells require more cholesterol than normal cells. This requirement seems to be satisfied by a higher HMG-CoA reductase activity or a higher activity of low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). We investigated the prognostic value of LDLR in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) patients. The LDLR was evaluated in 90 patients with CRC by ELISA. The survival time and the relative risk of prognostic factors were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier estimates and Cox proportional hazard model. Thirty three cases were LDLR positive (+), while 57 LDLR negative (-). The survival of LDLR(-) patients was shorter than that of LDLR(+). By Cox model, the absence of LDLR and time until metastasis resulted significantly associated with the CRC-related survival. The absence of LDLR in CRC predicts a shorter survival.