SMAD2 and cancer: In univariate analysis, high phospho-Smad2 expression (p = 0.048), morphological type 4 (p < 0.001), diffuse-type tumours (p < 0.001), lymph node metastasis (p < 0.001), peritoneal metastasis (p < 0.001), peritoneal free cancer cells (p < 0.001), lymphatic invasion (p = 0.006) and clinical stage IV (p < 0.001) were significantly associated to poor patient survival (Table 2).