Austin Health

Title
Ventricular metastasis resulting in disseminated intravascular coagulation.
Publication Date
2005-05-24
Author(s)
John, Thomas
Davis, Ian D
Type of document
Journal Article
DOI
10.1186/1477-7819-3-29
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) complicates up to 7% of malignancies, the commonest solid organ association being adenocarcinoma. Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC) has rarely been associated with DIC. CASE PRESENTATION: A 74-year-old woman with TCC bladder and DIC was found to have a cardiac lesion suspicious for metastatic disease. The DIC improved with infusion of plasma and administration of Vitamin K, however the cardiac lesion was deemed inoperable and chemotherapy inappropriate; given the patients functional status. We postulate that direct activation of the coagulation cascade by the intraventricular metastasis probably triggered the coagulopathy in this patient. CONCLUSION: Cardiac metastases should be considered in cancer patients with otherwise unexplained DIC. This may influence treatment choices.
Link
Citation
World Journal of Surgical Oncology 2005; 3(1): 29
Jornal Title
World journal of surgical oncology

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