The hypercoagulable state and pulmonary embolism in patients with ovarian carcinoma.
Fifty-nine patients with ovarian carcinoma were studied with particular reference to abnormalities of the coagulation mechanism. The notable findings were the high incidence of episodic thrombocytosis (73%) and the relation of these peaks of thrombocytosis to periods of expected maximum tumour break-down. The incidence of pulmonary embolism for the series was 44%, with the majority occurring in the group demonstrating significant thrombocytosis; in this latter group, pulmonary embolism constituted the major cause of death. The abnormalities in coagulation are discussed, together with pragmatic significance and methods of control.
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000097:blood; D002288:Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / Q000097:blood; D003536:Cystadenocarcinoma / Q000097:blood; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000097:blood*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality; D013922:Thrombocytosis / Q000209:etiology*