NDRG1 is a member of the α/β hydrolase superfamily that resides in the cytoplasm and participates in the stress responses, hormone response, cell growth, and differentiation. Several studies have pointed to the importance of NDRG1 in the carcinogenesis. This gene has been found to be up-regulated in an array of cancer types such as bladder, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, endometrial, lung and liver cancers, but being down-regulated in other types of cancers such as colorectal, gastric and ovarian cancers. The current study summarizes the evidence on the role of NDRG1 in the carcinogenic processes in different types of tissues.