In the univariate Cox regression analysis, ‘TNM stage’, ‘lymph node metastasis’, ‘distant metastasis of the tumour’ and expression of EME1/HNRNPAB/PLAUR/SEMA3A were identified as independent risk factors for OS (P < 0.05); in multivariate Cox regression analysis, ‘lymph node metastasis’, ‘distant metastasis of the tumour’ and expression of EME1/PLAUR were identified as independent risk factors for OS (P < 0.05) (Table S3–S7). The gene discussed is SEMA3A; the disease is metastatic malignant neoplasm in the lymph nodes.