Multivariate analysis revealed that nuclear SMAD4 expression was an independent predictor for RFS (HR 0.2, 95% CI 0.04-0.99) besides tumour size (HR 1.1, 95% CI 1.01-1.11), but not for DSS (HR 0.1, 95% CI 0.01-1.64). Here, SMAD4 is linked to neoplasm.