Some aspects of haemorrheology of metastasis in malignant melanoma.

A study of 125 patients with malignant melanoma, of which 30 succumbed to metastases, indicated that plasma viscosity and aggregation of red cells are significantly elevated in patients with metastases. Plots of the intervals between the time of the viscosity test and the time of death against plasma viscosity showed a significant negative correlation; while plots of the same intervals against blood viscosity showed a significant positive correlation. Viscosity functions (plasma viscosity vs globulin) showed a significant (P less than 0.005) difference between patients with metastases and patients free from metases. A significant difference was noted in some functions between patients of A and O blood groups.