Ｏｂｊｅｃｔｉｖｅ　To investigate the effects of propofol and sevoflurane on radical resection of colorectal cancer patients with preoperative serum hypoxia inducible factor-1(HIF-1) effect.　Methods　Forty patients with colorectal cancer radical surgery were randomly divided into 2 groups on experimental standard, propofol group (group P), sevoflurane group (group S) (n=20). Group P use intravenous anesthesia, routine intravenous induction of propofol by target controlled infusion(TCI). Intraoperative maintenance: remifentanil TCI, propofol TCI. Group S, intravenous and inhalational balanced anesthesia, routine intravenous induction and maintenance of anesthesia in: remifentanil TCI, sevoflurane maintenance. During the 30 min before anesthesia (T0), immediately after surgery (T1) and 24 h (T2) after operation, 4 ml blood samples were collected from the patient's internal jugular vein. The serum concentration of HIF-1 was detected by double antibody sandwich ELISA.　Results　Group P T1 time HIF-1 level was less than the level of T0 time, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). HIF-1 level of Group S at T1 time is higher than level of T0. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Compared with group P and group S, the HIF-1 concentration increased at T1 (P<0.05).　Conclusions　Propofol can reduce serum HIF-1 level whereas sevoflurane increased its expression level. It is suggested that propofol is more suitable anesthesia method for this kind of patient, and it is significant for the treatment and rehabilitation of tumor.