Rheumatoid factor: correlation with recurrence in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

The serum rheumatoid factor was measured by the latex fixation test in different titrations in 100 cases of bladder tumors. The rheumatoid factor was found in transitional and squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder. The percentage of positive studies correlated well with the clinical staging of the tumors. The rheumatoid factor activity also correlated with the recurrence of transitional cell carcinoma. A high recurrence rate was found when the rheumatoid factor was present in contrast to a low recurrence rate when it was absent at the initial examination. The percentage of recurrences correlated with the titration of the rheumatoid factor. The mechanism of production of the rheumatoid factor and its correlation with tumor recurrence are discussed.