Frequency of Lewis group substances in patients with cancer of stomach

Authors examined the frequency of Lewis group substances in red blood cells (RBC) and saliva of 293 patients with cancer of stomach, and of 760 healthy volunteers. Lewis (a-b-) substances on RBC surfaces were significantly more frequent in patients with cancer of stomach compared to normal controls. Most patients with cancer of stomach who had Lewis (a-b-) type red blood cells had Lewis-a and Lewis-b substances in their saliva. The deficiency of Lea substance and the loss or weakening of Leb antigen on RBCs may be a prognostic and diagnostic indicator in patients with cancer of stomach.