[Changes in the form of erythrocytes in cancer patients in the dynamics of the disease].

The study was concerned with echinocytosis in cases of fibroadenoma and cancer of the breast as well as malignancies of the lung, stomach and cervix uteri before and after surgical and radiation treatment. A relationship between the level of echinocytosis and tumor stage was observed, the highest level being in stage IV stomach cancer. Radical surgery was followed by a decrease while palliative treatment--by an increase in echinocyte level.