[Functional characteristics of the erythrocytes in patients with lung cancer]

Peripheral blood red cells were studied in 35 newly detected (untreated) male patients with Stages III-IV lung cancer by cytophotometric (sulfhydryl groups, lipoproteins) and interferometric (dry mass) techniques. The reference groups included patients with chronic nonspecific pulmonary diseases (CNPD) and healthy volunteers. The findings evidence that sulfhydryl group, lipoprotein concentrations and dry mass mean values of red cells are significantly lower in lung cancer patients than those in both reference groups. The changes detected in CNPD patients are similar to those in lung cancer patients but are less manifest.