Studies of Blood Group Antigens in Benign and Malignant Human Breast Tissue.

the malignant process is uncertain. Blood group antigens provide a convenient system for the study of changes related to malignancy. The structure of the ABO and Rh blood group antigens is well studied. They are present in almost all body tis sues; highly specific antisera can be produced, and various specific tests for these antigens exist (1, 4, 6, 10). ABO and D (Rh0) blood group antigen distri bution (3) in benign and malignant breast tissues were studied by fluorescent-antibody staining and hemagglutination inhibition to determine whether any changes were evident with malignancy. The female breast was chosen because of the possible interrelationship of fibrocystic disease and breast cancer (11).