In univariate and multivariate Cox proportional analyses (Table 1), salivary heparanase level [hazard ratio, 2.805; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.218–6.460; P = 0.015] was identified as an independent predictor of clinical outcome in patients with malignant salivary gland tumors. The gene discussed is HPSE; the disease is salivary gland cancer.