With regards to the levels of CD163+ immune cells in the tumor nest and stroma of LNM and DM, only a few significant associations were observed (data not shown); low levels of CD163+ immune cells in the LNM stroma associated with presence of visceral metastases (P = 0.009) whereas high levels of CD163+ immune cells in the DM tumor stroma associated with more metastatic sites (≥ 3 metastatic sites P = 0.048). This evidence concerns the gene CD163 and neoplasm.