In contrast, high ph-STAT3 tumour cell expression was independently associated with improved CSS (HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.64-0.90, P=0.010) independent of other variables, including nodal status, tumour necrosis, LVI, BVI, CD8+ T-lymphocyte infiltrate, CD138+ plasma cell infiltrate, and tumour budding (Table 4). Here, STAT3 is linked to neoplasm.