CTSE and neoplasm: In a backward stepwise regression model including sex, age, overall tumor stage, and CTSE expression below the 25th percentile, only age (HR 1.04, 95 % CI 1.00–1.08; p = 0.04) and AJCC stage II (HR 4.93, 95 % CI 1.88–12.88; p = 0.001) were independent prognostic markers for decreased survival (Table 2).