OVARIAN MALIGNANCIES IN RELATION TO ABO BLOOD GROUPS AND RH FACTOR.

Background & Objectives: To investigate correlation between the ABO blood groups and ovarian malignancies in females and also to correlate the frequency of ovarian malignancies with Rh factor. Methods: Data were collected on the blood groups of 1,870 females diagnosed with ovarian malignancies and the same was compared with blood groups of 2,540 females taken as controls that were operated with reasons other than ovarian malignancies. For assessing the relationship between blood groups and ovarian malignancies, odds ratio (OR) with 95% CI (confidence interval) was calculated. Results: A strong correlation was observed between females without ‘A’ or ‘B’ antigens i.e. O blood group females and increased risk of ovarian cancer (OR= 1.3281, CI= 1.1457-1.5396, p-value= 0.0002). The strongest magnitude of correlation was observed in patients without ‘Rh’ factor i.e. Rh- blood group. Interpretation & Conclusions: There is a strong correlation between ABO and Rh blood groups and tendency of a female to develop ovarian malignancy.