1976 Volume 67 Issue 2 Pages 91-98
The serum proteins of 70 cases of malignant tumors of the uro-genital system were quantitatively measured by single radial immunodiffusion method (with the use of the Behringwerke Partigens). The serum was obtained before any type of treatment was instituted.
Our results were summarized as follows.
1) The serum proteins in cancer of the bladder showed similar changes to those in cancers of the stomach, lungs, esophagus, etc; they were a decrease of prealbumin, increases of α1-acid glycoprotein, α1-antitrypsin, ceruloplasmin and haptoglobin. These changes became more pronounced as the stage of the cancer progressed. There were no significant changes between the grade and the histological type of each tumor.
2) In cancer of the prostate (particularly in its advanced stage), a decrease of prealbumin and increases of α1-antitrypsin and ceruloplasmin were remarkably observed.
3) In the tumor of the testicles, increases of α1-acid glycoprotein and haptoglobin were noted in the earlier stage. In advanced stage, however, a decrease of prealbumin and transferrin, and increases of α1-acid glycoprotein, α1-antitrypsin and haptoglobin were pronounced.
4) α2-HS glycoprotein did not reveal any statistically significant changes in malignant tumors of the uro-genital system.
It is concluded that measurement of the serum protein changes in malignant tumors of the uro-genital system has practical significance, particularly for evaluation of the clinical stage of the patients with malignant tumor.
