Red cell surface antigen and its relationship to survival of patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

We studied 73 patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder seen from 1967 to 1973. The red cell antigen test was done in a controlled blind study to determine if tumor behavior can be predicted by this test. Our results do not substantiate the findings of other investigators who have reported excellent correlation. We did not find statistical evidence that loss of antigen could be equated to a poor prognosis. We noted that patients in group O gave the weakest reaction and that this test had to be done in a modified fashion in tumors from these patients. It also was noted that as individuals age they tend to lose the red cell antigen. There is no doubt that this test, as reported in the literature, is a great advance in the study of bladder cancer. Further refinement in technique and more data are needed to substantiate its accuracy in predicting the behavior of bladder cancer.