HMGB1 levels were significantly correlated with depth of invasion [Spearman correlation coefficients (γs) = 0.273 (p < 0.05)), and lymph node metastasis [Spearman correlation coefficients (γs) = 0.225 (p < 0.05)) (Table 3), but CEA levels were not. This evidence concerns the gene HMGB1 and metastatic malignant neoplasm in the lymph nodes.