Univariate analysis revealed that clinical variables including Bornmann classification (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.875; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.302–2.648; P = 0.001), depth of invasion (HR = 2.298, 95% CI: 1.537–3.434, P<0.001), lymph node metastasis (HR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.215–1.756, P<0.001), distant metastasis (HR = 5.316, 95% CI: 3.129–9.032, P<0.001), tumour-node-metastasis stage (HR = 2.434, 95% CI: 1.8–3.29, P<0.001), tumour size (HR = 1.744, 95% CI: 1.146–2.654, P = 0.009) and HSF1 expression (HR = 3.274, 95% CI: 2.077–5.163, P<0.001) were significantly associated with OS. The gene discussed is HSF1; the disease is metastatic malignant neoplasm in the lymph nodes.