PNI values were significantly associated with age (p <  0.001), BMI (p = 0.003), white blood cell counts (p = 0.009), red blood cell counts (p = 0.021), tumor size (p <  0.001), tumor depth (p = 0.001), lymph node metastasis (p = 0.032), pStage (p = 0.001), serum albumin concentrations (p < 0.001), and C-reactive protein levels (p < 0.001). This evidence concerns the gene ALB and metastatic malignant neoplasm in the lymph nodes.