As for CD163+ M2 TAMs, high stromal CD163+ TAM density was associated with lymph node metastasis [OR = 2.42, 95% CI: (1.09, 5.37), P=0.03; I2 = 0%, P=0.52]; [WMD = 39.37, 95% CI: (28.25, 50.49), P<0.001; I2 = 0%, P=0.99]. This evidence concerns the gene CD163 and metastatic malignant neoplasm in the lymph nodes.