Objective: To investigate thrombospondin 2 (THBS2) expression in gastric cancer tissue and its relations with the angiogenesis and prognosis of gastric cancer. Methods: Using tissue microarray and immunohistochemical technology, the expressions of THBS2, VEGF, MMP-2 and MMP-9, and the CD34-labeled microvessel density (MVD) in 120 specimens of gastric cancer tissue and 36 specimens of tumor adjacent normal gastric mucosal tissue were detected. In addition, the THBS2 expression in the tumor tissues from 40 gastric cancer patients with the overall survival time ≥10 years (long survival group) and 30 gastric cancer patients with the overall survival time ≤3years (short survival group) was determined by the same method, and the THBS2 expression difference between the two groups was compared. Results: In gastric cancer tissue, the positive THBS2 expression rate was significantly lower while the positive expression rate of VEGF, MMP-2 and MMP -9 and the MVD value were significantly higher than those in normal mucosal tissue (all P<0.05). The MVD value in gastric cancer tissues with positive THBS2 expression was significantly lower than those with negative THBS2 expression, which in gastric tissues with positive VEGF expression was significantly higher than in those with negative VEGF expression (both P<0.05). THBS2 expression had negative correlation with the expressions of VEGF, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in gastric cancer tissues (r=–0.574, –0.447, and –0.599, all P<0.01). The positive THBS2 expression rate in gastric cancer tissues in long survival group was significantly higher than that in gastric cancer tissues in short survival group (P<0.05). Conclusion: THBS2 expression is down-regulated in gastric cancer tissue, which may affect the angiogenesis and prognosis of gastric cancer through promoting the expressions of VEGF, MMP-9 and MMP-2.