Cell surface blood group antigens in carcinoma of the penis.

Fifty benign epithelial lesions and squamous cell carcinomas of the penis were studied for specific red cell adherence (SRCA), to identify any difference in the cell surface antigens of these tumours that may explain their biologic behaviour. It was observed that 87% of benign lesions as well as 54% of squamous cell carcinomas of the penis were SRCA-positive suggesting that the SRCA test was not of sufficient specificity for differentiating benign and malignant tumours. A striking observation was that 91% of squamous cell carcinomas which had metastasized to the inguinal nodes were SRCA-negative in the primary tumour as well as the metastatic focus in the lymph nodes suggesting that the loss of cell surface antigen is associated with an aggressive potential and a tendency for invasion and spread. To our knowledge this is the first study of cell surface blood group antigens in tumours of the penis.