ALB and metastatic malignant neoplasm in the lymph nodes: Significant differences between cohorts A and B were found for the following factors: ECOG PS 0 (49 vs. 33%, respectively; P < 0.001), lymph node metastasis (37 vs. 48%, respectively; P = 0.012), peritoneal dissemination (12 vs. 24%, respectively; P < 0.001), number of metastatic organ sites ≥ 2 (71 vs. 79%, respectively; P = 0.007), baseline serum albumin <3.5 g/dL (29 vs. 58%, respectively; P < 0.001), baseline serum AST ≥40 IU/L (20 vs. 42%, respectively; P < 0.001), and baseline serum CRP ≥1 mg/dL (34 vs. 52%, respectively; P < 0.001).