Spontaneous remission of recurring disseminated intravascular coagulation associated with prostatic carcinoma

✍ Scribed by Barbara M. Alving; Martin D. Abeloff; William Bell

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1976
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 214 KB
• Volume: 37
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0008-543X
• DOI: 10.1002/1097-0142(197602)37:2<928::aid-cncr2820370246>3.0.co;2-4

✦ Synopsis

A 58-year-old patient with metastatic prostatic carcinoma had two well-documented episodes of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) occurring 1 year apart and resolving without heparin therapy. This case illustrates that DIC need not have a poor prognosis and may resolve spontaneously despite progressive cancer. T h e efficacy of heparin therapy is discussed.

Cancer 37:928-930. 1976.

OTH CHRONIC AND ACUTE DISSEMINATED IN-

B travascular coagulation (DIC) are recognized complications of carcinoma and may be associated with a poor prognosis. Heparin in combination with antitumor therapy is considered by some physicians the treatment of choice in these situations.* T h e following report describes a patient with metastatic prostatic carcinoma having two episodes of acute DIC occurring 1 year apart and resolving without heparin therapy. This case illustrates that acute DIC associated with prostatic carcinoma need not be asso- ciated with a poor prognosis and may resolve spontaneously.

CASE REPORT

A 58-year-old retired mechanic with biopsyproven metastatic prostatic carcinoma was admitted to T h e Johns Hopkins Hospital (JHH) on March 3, 1973 because of sudden onset of spontaneous bleeding. Two years previously, metastatic prostatic carcinoma with osteolytic and blastic changes of the spine was diagnosed. Bilateral