Complexity is supported by a significant association of Upk1a and Upk1b positivity with both nodal metastasis and tumor infiltration of lymph vessels and the stage-dependent relationship with patient outcome showing a statistically significant association of combined Upk1a/Upk1b expression with poor prognosis in pT4 but not in pT2 and pT3 cancers. The gene discussed is UPK1B; the disease is cancer.