ALB and metastatic malignant neoplasm in the lymph nodes: Among these factors, age (≥50/60 years), gender (male), ECOG performance status (≥1), multifocal tumor (yes vs. no), CA 19–9 levels (elevated), CEA levels (>5 ng/mL), TNM stage (stage ≥3), vascular invasion (yes vs. no), lymph node metastasis (yes vs. no), Child-Pugh class (B vs. A), albumin levels (<35 g/L), and HBV status (positive vs. negative) all demonstrated a negative association with prognosis, although some analyses did not show full statistical significance.