However, Cox regression analysis of risk factors revealed that preoperative serum albumin (hazard ratio for every 1 g/L decrease in albumin = 1.096, 95% CI [1.0.58–1.137], P < 0.001) and site of primary tumour (hazard ratio of breast cancer over lung cancer = 0.468, 95% CI [0.264–0.829], P < 0.009) were independent risk factors for survival (Table 3). The gene discussed is ALB; the disease is breast carcinoma.