| EPH | erythropoietin-producing human hepatocellular receptors |
| Ephrin | EPH family receptor interacting proteins |
| IHC | immunohistochemistry |
| PCR | polymerase chain reaction |
| RT-PCR | reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction |
| q PCR | quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction |
| LN | lymph nodes |
| OS | overall survival |
| DFS | disease-free survival |
| EMT | epithelial-mesenchymal transition |
| EGFR | epidermal growth factor receptor |
| CRC | colorectal carcinoma |
| RFS | recurrence-free survival |