ST3GAL5 and metastatic malignant neoplasm in the lymph nodes: To determine whether SATI gain is an independent protective factor for DFS, we performed a multivariate Cox regression analysis, including common factors associated with DFS such as tumor size, clinical TNM stage, ypTNM stage, lymph node metastasis, presence of tumor deposits, LVI, PNI, and CEA levels, in addition to SATI gain.