The univariate analysis demonstrated a significant shorter survival for patients presenting one of the following characteristics in comparison with patients presenting the opposite status (Table 6): age >70 years, performance status ⩾2, stage grouping IIIb–IV, weight loss ⩾5%, leucocytes >10 000 μl−1, nonadenocarcinomatous histology, alkaline phosphatase ⩾104 U l−1, high CYFRA 21-1 serum level, lymphocytes <1000 μl−1, protein ⩽64 g l−1, albumin <35 g l−1, LDH⩾450 U l−1, NSE >12.5 ng ml−1, serum calcium >2.6 mmol l−1, anaemia, high fibrinogen level and SCS >9. This evidence concerns the gene ALB and anemia.