Occurrence of ABO group antigens in bladder carcinoma

Biopsies of bladder carcinoma obtained from 46 patients were tested for the presence of the group antigens, A, B and H. Lack of the antigens was confirmed in 69.6% of the samples examined. On the basis of histopathologic studies the patients were divided into three groups. The lack of the group antigens was reported in 86.4% bladder carcinoma patients; the lowest (45.5%) in the group of patients with papilloma of bladder. In cases of tumors with intermediate differentiation of tissue, the number of patients showing lack of group antigens amounted to 61.5%. Clinical observations carried out for five years suggest that the lack of group antigens is related to a recurrence of bladder carcinoma.