STC1 protein level in tumour tissues has been shown to be associated with much more lymph and distant metastases, stronger invasiveness of the tumour and poorer 5‐year disease‐free survival (or 3‐year progression‐free survival) and the overall survival rate in many kinds of tumours such as ESCC,28 glioma37 and gastric cancer.48 The gene discussed is STC1; the disease is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.