Initial univariate Cox regression analysis identified several significant prognostic indicators (Figure 2L), including: advanced age (HR = 1.039, 95% CI: 1.017-1.062, p < 0.001), advanced tumor stage (HR = 2.293, 95% CI: 1.794-2.932, p < 0.001), higher T classification (HR = 2.890, 95% CI: 1.887-4.427, p < 0.001), lymph node metastasis (HR = 2.073, 95% CI: 1.606-2.675, p < 0.001), distant metastasis (HR = 4.512, 95% CI: 2.888-7.049, p < 0.001), and elevated NMB expression (HR = 1.046, 95% CI: 1.005-1.088, p = 0.027). Here, NMB is linked to metastatic malignant neoplasm in the lymph nodes.