Proteinuria in patients with uroepithelial tumours with special regard to tumour size, clinical staging and grade of malignancy.

Concentrations of albumin, transferrin and immunoglobulins A, G and M were determined in both serum and urine from 59 patients with uroepithelial tumours. 51 patients had tumours in the bladder, which could be classified according to size, clinical stage and grade of malignancy, the remaining 8 had tumours in the ureter or renal pelvis. Urinary proteins were found in all the patients studied, the concentration being proportional to the tumour size. There was no correlation, however, with the grade of malignancy. The level of serum proteins and the urinary protein fraction pattern were similar in all groups of patients. Immunoglobulins were found in relatively large amounts in the urine, except for IgM which was absent in 13 patients. It is suggested that there immunoglobulins originate from the tumour surface and may represent an immune reaction by the host against the tumour. Their estimation in the urine may be a useful diagnostic help when urinary tract tumours are suspected.