A multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that HER2 and p-HSP27(Ser15) are prognostic factors for survival independent of those that have already been established, such as depth of tumour invasion (UICC pT category), presence of lymph node metastases (UICC pN category) and presence of distant metastases at the time of resection (UICC cM category) (see Table 1). The gene discussed is ERBB2; the disease is metastatic malignant neoplasm in the lymph nodes.