Using univariate analysis of cancer-specific survival, we found that sex (P = 0.002), tumor size (P = 0.015), serum albumin level (P < 0.001), histology (P < 0.001), UICC stage (P < 0.001) and serum CEA level (P < 0.001) were statistically significant (Table 2). The gene discussed is ALB; the disease is cancer.