MUC4 and neoplasm: Starting with all these factors in a multivariable Cox regression analysis, with backward stepwise selection of covariates having the lowest P-values, MUC1 > 40% and/or MUC4 > 0% expression independently predicted a poor prognosis (P = 0.043; hazard ratio 2.02, 95% CI 1.02, 3.98), adjusting for nodal involvement, vessel involvement and tumour size (Table 4).