On multivariate analysis with sex, tumour stage, Fuhrman grade, performance status and C-reactive protein entered as covariates, only sex (HR 0.25, 95% CI 0.06–0.99, P=0.048), Fuhrman grade (HR 2.91, 95% CI 1.29–6.56, P=0.010) and C-reactive protein (HR 7.67, 95% CI 1.64–35.84, P=0.010) were significant independent predictors of cancer-specific survival. This evidence concerns the gene CRP and cancer.