CRP and neoplasm: The multivariate Cox regression analysis involving significant factors indicated by the univariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that high NMPR (p = 0.04) along with high CRP (p < 0.001), poor tumor differentiation (p = 0.008), advanced T stage (p = 0.006), advanced N stage (p < 0.001) and high CEA (p = 0.007) might be independent predictors for unfavorable OS (Table 2).