There was a significant positive correlation between DEC1 and tumour grade (P=0.01), HIF-1α (P=0.04) and the hypoxically regulated gene angiogenin (P<0.0001), but no significant associations were observed with patient age (P=0.15), lymph node status (P=0.8), tumour size (P=0.3), oestrogen receptor (P=0.45), epidermal growth factor receptor (P=0.27) or Chalkley vessel count (P=0.45). The gene discussed is BHLHE40; the disease is neoplasm.