ABH Isoantigens in Stage O Papillary Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder: Correlation with Biological Behavior

Abstract

Patients (40) with stage O papillary transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder were tested for the presence or absence of ABH blood group substances. Of 25 tumors with antigens, 21 (84%) remained stage O, with a mean follow-up of 13.3 yr. Of 15 tumors devoid of bloodgroup substances, 11 (73.3%) progressed to stage B or greater in a mean of 4.3 yr. Patients without antigens whose tumor remained stage O were followed for a mean of 10 yr. Two patients with initially positive tumors subsequently showed loss of antigens and invasion. In 7 of 8 patients the benign epithelium showed a greater concentration of blood group substances than did the corresponding tumor. The presence or absence of blood group substances can be used to predict the biological behavior of stage O transitional cell carcinoma.