Prostate cancer: Beware of disseminated intravascular coagulation - Abstract

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a pathological systemic condition resulting from aberrant activation of the coagulation system.

It is characterised by the release and activation of procoagulants into the blood, with an associated consumption coagulopathy. Its association with solid and haematological malignancies is well described in literature. This case describes an elderly man, known to have prostate cancer, who following transurethral resection of the prostate developed DIC with haematuria, spontaneous ecchymoses and mucosal bleeding. Subsequent investigations revealed a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) >1000 µg/L, and staging CT showed multiple sclerotic metastatic lesions affecting the thoracic and lumbar vertebra, as well as infiltration into his left femur. Coagulation normalised with blood products and vitamin K within 1 week, and the patient responded to antiandrogen therapy with a reduction in pain and PSA on discharge.

Written by:
Desai M, John B, Evans G, Eddy B.   Are you the author?
Department of Medicine, Canterbury Hospital, Canterury, Kent, UK; Department of Urology, Canterbury Hospital, Canterbury, Kent, UK; Department of Haematology, Canterbury Hospital, Canterbury, Kent, UK.

Reference: BMJ Case Rep. 2015 Mar 27;2015. pii: bcr2014206814.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2014-206814


PubMed Abstract
PMID: 25819815

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