[Blood group ABO (H) cell surface antigens in bladder tumours invading the chorion. Prognostic value of their determination by immunofluorescence. Retrospective study of one hundred and twenty-five cases].

The authors have studied 125 stage A bladder tumours with a follow-up period of at least 5 years. The ABH cell surface antigens were collected by a double-layer immunofluorescence technique which has already been described. All the cross sections were read by the same pathologist who knew nothing about the clinical developments. The results were divided into 3 groups : (I) all the tumour cells had retained their surface antigens. (II) Only some cells had retained surface antigens. (III) All cells were negative. Study of the development of the 3 groups shows that : in group I, all the patients (11) are alive 5 years later, and only one has presented with a lesion evolving towards infiltration. In group II (32 patients), only 38 p. cent of the patients are still living 5 years later, and 65 p. cent developed towards muscular infiltration. In group III (77 patients), 27 p. cent are alive after 5 years and 80 p. cent have developed towards muscular infiltration. Homogeneous retention of the surface antigens would therefore seem to be a favourable factor in the prognosis, even in the case of a tumour which has already infiltrated the chorion. The significance of the loss of surface antigens is less clear-cut, but is on the whole adverse. The significance would, however, probably be enhanced by study of the mucosa distal from the lesion, and by marking the substances which determine the blood groups.