Moreover, ESCC patients presenting with lymph node metastasis (N1–3) and a high seventh edition AJCC stage (stages III/IV) exhibited higher expression of SNAIL than those without lymph node metastasis (N0) and with a low seventh edition AJCC stage (stages I/II) (P < 0.001, Fig. 2D). This evidence concerns the gene SNAI1 and metastatic malignant neoplasm in the lymph nodes.