Comparison of PROX1 or α-SMA expression in cancerous colon tissue with that in corresponding normal colonic mucosa indicated PROX1 and α-SMA expression were significantly greater in cases with lymph node metastasis (pPROX1 <0.001, pα-SMA <0.001), lymphatic invasion (pPROX1 <0.002, pα-SMA <0.004), and tumor staging (pPROX1 <0.001, pα-SMA <0.001) but non-significant for vascular invasion (pPROX1 <0.089, pα-SMA <0.11; Table 1). The gene discussed is ACTA1; the disease is neoplasm.