Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM: Although ABO blood group has been reported to be associated with the outcome of patients with pancreatic cancer, little is known about its impact on patients with biliary tract cancer (BTC). We evaluated the prognostic relevance of ABO blood group in patients who had undergone resection of BTC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 154 patients with BTC undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy were retrospectively reviewed. Associations between ABO blood group and patient survival were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival rate was higher in group O patients (n=46) than in other blood group patients (n=108) (65.8% vs. 47%, p=0.005). Multivariate analysis revealed that a non-O blood group was an independent risk factor for poor survival (p=0.021). CONCLUSION: ABO blood group is associated with the prognosis of patients with resected BTC; group O patients have a better outcome.