Correlation of N-myc downstream-regulated gene 1 subcellular localization and lymph node metastases of colorectal neoplasms.

•We clarified NDRG1 subcellular location in colorectal cancer.•We found the changes of NDRG1 distribution during colorectal cancer progression.•We clarified the correlation between NDRG1 distribution and lymph node metastasis.•It is possible that NDRG1 subcellular localization may determine its function.•Maybe NDRG1 is valuable early diagnostic markers for metastasis.