For 2080 colorectal cancer patients, Cox regression analysis of multiple clinicopathological parameters against overall survival showed that independent risk factors included rectal cancer, older ages, non-R0 resection, mucinous adenocarcinoma or signet-ring cell carcinoma, fewer harvested lymph nodes, higher T stages, higher N stages, and higher preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level (Supplementary Table 1). The gene discussed is CEACAM5; the disease is colorectal cancer.