Analysis of tissue ABH antigens in superficial bladder tumours

The determination of ABH blood group antigens for the prognosis of superficial bladder tumours was evaluated. A total of 114 cases of superficial bladder tumours were studied, and all cases were treated by transurethral resection (TUR). The 5-year recurrence rate was 42%. The ABH antigenicity provided more useful information than the grade in predicting recurrence of the tumours. The period from the initial TUR till the first recurrence in antigen-negative tumours was 17.5 months, which was shorter, though not significantly, than the corresponding period in antigen-positive tumours of 25.2 months. In addition, the presence or absence of isoantigens of tumours having two or more recurrences was examined individually.