Table 2

Multivariate analysis using tumour cell MMP-9 and EGFR as separate variables and as a combined variable

Factor Hazard ratio p value
MMP-9 and EGFR as separate variables:
Chalkley count
 Lower tertiles1.000.002
 Upper tertile1.97 (1.28–3.03)
Tumour cell MMP-9 expression
 Negative1.000.004
 Positive1.91 (1.23–2.97)
Stage
 I1.000.01
 II1.44 (0.87–2.40)
 IIIa2.21 (1.31–3.74)
Grade
 Well/moderately differentiated1.000.05
 Poorly differentiated1.52 (0.99–2.33)
MMP-9 and EGFR as combined variable:
Tumour cell EGFR/MMP-9
 Negative1.00<0.001
 Positive2.22 (1.45–3.41)
Chalkley count
 Lower tertiles1.000.001
 Upper tertile2.12 (1.38–3.25)
Stage
 I1.000.007
 II1.35 (0.81–2.25)
 IIIa2.29 (1.36–3.84)
Grade
 Well/moderately differentiated1.000.21
 Poorly differentiated1.31 (0.86–2.01)