On multivariate analysis of these significant variables, age (HR, 1.80, 95% CI, 1.30–2.49, P<0.001), Dukes’ stage (HR, 3.14, 95% CI, 1.82–5.40, P<0.001), vascular invasion (HR, 2.18, 95% CI, 1.25–3.82, P=0.006), C-reactive protein (HR, 2.09, 95% CI, 1.20–3.65, P=0.010) and albumin (HR, 2.33, 95% CI, 1.30–4.17, P=0.004) were associated independently with cancer-specific survival. The gene discussed is CRP; the disease is cancer.