The pooled OR revealed that elevated HPSE expression was associated with higher histological grade and increased lymph node metastasis (LNM) (OR = 6.22, 95% CI = 3.15 – 12.27, P < 0.00001, Figure 5; OR = 4.97, 95% CI = 3.59 – 6.87, P < 0.00001, Figure 6). Here, HPSE is linked to metastatic malignant neoplasm in the lymph nodes.