Statistical analyses using either the Mann–Whitney U test and/or the Spearman rank correlation test were applied to all patient samples to determine the relationships between HRGβ1 immunostaining and the tumour grade, the survival time and the oestrogen receptor, EGFR, erbB2, MAPK, AKT, Ki-67, menopausal and metastatic status. The gene discussed is EGFR; the disease is neoplasm.