However, only a high SOX2 expression level in the cancer cells within the primary tumor was significantly correlated with LN metastasis (p = 0.008); ALDH1 expression in the cancer cells and the number of CD204(+) macrophages were not correlated with LN metastasis (P = 0.230 and P = 0.088, respectively). This evidence concerns the gene SOX2 and cancer.