On multivariate analysis, only age (HR 1.040 95% CI 1.009–1.072, P=0.012), tumour type (HR 1.655, 95% CI 1.200–2.282, P=0.002), weight loss (HR 0.605 95% CI 0.362–1.012, P=0.056), C-reactive protein (HR 1.783 95% CI 1.009–3.151, P=0.047), Karnofsky performance status (HR 0.964 95% CI 0.942–0.987, P=0.002) and fatigue (HR 1.011 95% CI 1.000–1.022, P=0.046) remained significant independent predictors of survival. This evidence concerns the gene CRP and neoplasm.