OBJECTIVE: To detect tumor-associated macrophages M1, M2 phenotypic expression levels in human glioma tissues, and its relationship with clinicopathological features and prognosis. METHODS: Immunohistochemical SP method was used to detect the expression levels of M1, M2 macrophages in 48 cases glioma tissues. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were analyzed and the progression-free survival and overall survival betwen M1, M2 high expression and low expression groups were compared. RESULTS: The difference of M1 and M2-type tumor-associated macrophages expression was not statistically significant with gender, age, tumor size, location and presence or absence of cystic change (P>0.05). M1 Giant macrophages expression was reduced following the increment of malignancy of glioma. The expression and pathological level was negatively correlated (r=-0.705, P=0.000). The progression free survival and overall survival were significantly different between its high expression group and the low expression group(P=0.000); M2 macrophages expression was increased in class I - grade IV glioma tissue with tumor malignant degree(P=0.000). The expression and pathological level was positively correlated (r=0.857, P=0.000). Between the high expression group and the low expression group the progression-free survival and overall survival were significant different (P=0.000). CONCLUSION: M1, M2 tumor associated macrophages expression are related to glioma occurrence and the degree of malignancy; detection of both expression may provide a basis for clinical diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of glioma.