title: Prolonged bleeding time due to mitotane therapy.
abstract: After finding prolonged bleeding times in 2 patients treated with mitotane, we prospectively studied 7 patients with adrenocortical cancer on mitotane therapy. Before and 1 and 2 or more weeks after starting mitotane we determined the platelet counts, bleeding times and global coagulation parameters. All patients had a normal bleeding time before treatment. In 6 cases the bleeding time became prolonged (245-555 s). 4 patients exhibited platelet aggregation responses compatible with an aspirin-like defect. It is concluded that mitotane may cause a clinically relevant defect of platelet function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, University Hospital Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Haak
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Caekebeke-Peerlinck
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: van Seters
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Briët
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000306:Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001760:Bleeding Time; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008939:Mitotane / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010976:Platelet Count / Q000187:drug effects; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D014841:von Willebrand Factor; D008939:Mitotane