Elevated NEAT1 expression significantly predicted lymph node metastasis (HR: 2.10, 95% CI: 1.32–3.33, P = 0.002) and distant metastasis (HR: 2.80, 95% CI: 1.60–4.91, P = 0.0003) respectively. The gene discussed is NEAT1; the disease is metastatic malignant neoplasm in the lymph nodes.