The influence of anthracosis and p16ink4a gene aberrant methylation on small-sized pulmonary adenocarcinoma

► We investigated the influence of anthracosis and p16ink4a gene aberrant methylation on small-sized adenocarcinoma. ► The mean Anthracotic index(AI) and the frequency of p16ink4a gene aberrant methylation of heavy smokers were significantly higher than nonsmokers. ► The frequency of p16ink4a gene aberrant methylation of early stage small-sized adenocarcinoma was lower than advanced and poorly stage. ► p16ink4a protein expression level of early stage small-sized adenocarcinoma was significantly higher than poorly stage. ► AI and p16ink4a gene aberrant methylation may provide a potential universal biomarker for small-sized adenocarcinoma.