A double-blind study of the comparative incidence of malignancy and allergy

Abstract

Four hundred and three preoperative patients were questioned as to past or present allergic symptoms. One hundred and four patients in this group were subsequently shown to have malignancy. There was no significant difference in the incidence of seasonal or possible allergic symptoms in those patients with cancer as compared with those with no cancer. In the allergic group, no significant difference was found in the intensity of allergic symptoms in cancer patients and the intensity of allergic symptoms in noncancer patients. The incidence of allergic symptoms was similar in patients with localized cancer when compared to those with invasive malignancy. The incidence of reported allergy was less in the older age patients, but this did not affect the present study as there was a similar incidence of allergy in cancer patients compared to noncancer patients at each age level.