Prognostic significance of flow-DNA analysis and cell surface isoantigens in carcinoma of bilharzial bladder.

Flow cytometric DNA analysis and ABO(H) cell surface antigen expression were studied in 46 patients with cystectomies for carcinoma of bilharzial bladder. The most significant prognostic indicators were the DNA index and the status of the pelvic lymph nodes at operation. Diploid tumors were associated with a low metastatic potential (7.7%) and a better five-year survival (54%) in contrast to aneuploid cases that had a higher metastatic potential (45.5%) and a low five-year survival (21%). The ABO(H) isoantigen status did not correlate with pathologic parameters or the clinical course of these invasive bilharzial bladder tumors as was previously reported.