Distribution of AB0 and Rh blood groups in cancer patients; is A Rh (+) blood group a risk factor in colorectal cancer development?

Abstract

Objective: Genetic factors have been the subject of many studies in cancer etiology. One of the most striking of these is the relationship between blood groups and cancer. Therefore, in our study, we examined the relationship between blood groups of stomach, colorectal, breast, thyroid and pancreatic cancers, which are common in general surgery practice, with single-center data. Method: We retrospectively analyzed cancer cases who applied to our University Hospital between 2005-2021. This analysis was done using a hospital database. 7899 cancer patients were included in the study. Cancer types, blood types, ages and gender of the patients were recorded. Results were analyzed statistically. Results: 55.2% of the patients included in the study were male and 42.8% were female. Of the patients, 553 (7%) were stomach, 767 (9.7%) colorectal, 779 (9.9%) breast, 625 (55.15%) thyroid, 209 (2.6% ) pancreatic cancer. 87.4% of the patients were Rh (+), 12.6% of them were Rh (-). 38% of patients A Rh (+), 5.2% A Rh (-), 13.8% B Rh (+), 2.2% B Rh (-), 7.7% AB Rh (+), 1.3% AB Rh (-), 28% 0 Rh (+), 3.8% 0 Rh (-). With the blood group distribution of all cancers; When the blood group distribution of gastric, colorectal, breast, thyroid and pancreatic cancers were compared, no statistically significant difference was found. However, it was found that the A Rh (+) blood group was higher in colorectal cancers compared to other cancers. Conclusions: In our study, no relationship was found between all cancers and blood type. In addition, no relationship was found between blood type and stomach, colorectal, breast, thyroid and pancreatic cancers, which are common in general surgery practice. Although it is generally accepted that especially A blood group is a risk factor for gastric cancer, there was no significant difference in our patient series. When AB0 and Rh blood groups were evaluated together, the A Rh (+) blood group was seen more in colorectal cancers.