Immunoglobulin allotypes in head and neck cancer patients with multiple primary cancers.

Immunoglobulin allotypes G1m, G2m, G3m, A2m and Km were determined in patients with a single head and neck cancer and in head and neck cancer patients with multiple primary tumours. Frequencies were compared with those of healthy controls. In all 39 patients with multiple primary tumours studied, Km(1) was absent vs. 82% and 75% absence in healthy controls and patients with a single head and neck cancer, respectively. This difference is highly significant. We conclude that head and neck cancer patients lacking the Km(1) are susceptible to the development of new cancers, and therefore should be screened thoroughly for more tumours.