Multivariate analysis
In univariate and multivariate analysis, the Cox proportional hazard model was applied to assess the association between the variables (e.g. age, sex, T stage, N stage, M stage, TNM stage, treatment options (with or without surgery), and nodal volume (<3.95 cm3 and ≥3.95 cm3)), and the survival outcomes (e.g. overall survival, disease-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival). Only the nodal volume was significantly associated with the distant metastasis-free survival (Adj HR = 4.45, p = 0.036, 95%CI = 1.1-17.94). The nodal volume was also likely to be associated with overall survival but not statistically significant. (Table 3)