Several studies have identified predictors of postoperative AE, including advanced lung cancer, lack of postoperative steroid use, postoperative episode of inflammation, male sex, KL-6 level, HRCT pattern, predicted vital capacity, history of AE, surgical procedure [2, 9], general anesthesia [10], and perioperative blood transfusion [11]. The gene discussed is MUC1; the disease is lung carcinoma.