The cell surface antigens of bladder washing specimens in patients with bladder tumors, a new approach.

The blood group antigens A, B and O(H) are present on the cell surface of many tissues, including the urothelium. It has been shown that loss of these antigens from the surface of tumor cells correlated with subsequent development of invasion. Since the specific red cell adherence test demonstrates the presence or absence of these antigens the test may have an important prognostic and screening value. We have examined bladder washing specimens from patients with bladder tumors and normal controls for this phenomenon. The results in patients with bladder tumors were then compared to original biopsy specimens for the presence or absence of cell surface antigens. The study indicates that our technique presents a simple, reliable test that may be significant in screening as well as followup of patients with bladder cancer.