Multivariate analysis indicated that depth of tumor [hazard ratio (HR) 9.26, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.03-0.46, P = 0.003], lymph node metastasis (HR 9.26, 95 % CI 0.07-0.39, P < 0.001), and high expression of EphA1 (HR 1.86, 95 % CI 0.29-0.99, P = 0.048) are independent prognostic factors for relapse-free survival.
Increased expression of EphA1 protein in tumors was more often observed in patients with well-differentiated tumors (p = 0.004), lymph node metastasis (p = 0.028), and advanced tumor stage (p = 0.008).
Reduced expression of EphA1 protein occurred more often in male patients (P=0.028) and in patients with poor differentiation (P=0.027), greater depth of wall invasion (P=0.003), lymph node metastasis (P=0.034), and advanced tumor stage (P=0.003).