Univariate analysis showed that FOXF2low and tumor size were significant risk factors in predicting DFS status in the overall study population (FOXF2, hazard ratio (HR) = 1.927, 95% CI = 1.077–3.449, P = 0.027; ≤3 vs. >7, HR = 0.308, 95% CI = 0.111–0.854, P = 0.024; 3-7 vs. >7, HR = 0.256, 95% CI = 0.097–0.672, P = 0.006) and in stage I NSCLC patients (FOXF2, HR = 3.526, 95% CI = 1.510–8.231; P = 0.004; ≤3 vs. >7, HR = 0.345, 95% CI = 0.110–1.080, P = 0.067; 3-7 vs. >7, HR = 0.222, 95% CI = 0.075–0.662, P = 0.007) (Table 2). Here, FOXF2 is linked to neoplasm.