title: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura associated with metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma: successful management with plasmapheresis.
abstract: A patient with metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma had progressive microangiopathic red blood cell changes, thrombocytopenia with increased marrow megakaryocytes, bleeding, altered mentation, and seizure. Coagulation parameters were inconsistent with disseminated intravascular coagulation; a clinical diagnosis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) was made. Plasmapheresis resulted in improvement on two separate occasions. The diagnosis of tumor-associated TTP should be considered in cancer patients. Plasmapheresis may be more effective than plasma transfusion alone in this syndrome, perhaps via removal of tumor-induced immune complexes from the circulation. Aggressive management of this complication seems justified in cancer patients for whom effective chemotherapy exists.
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications*; D001856:Bone Marrow Examination; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000175:diagnosis; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010956:Plasmapheresis; D011517:Prothrombin Time; D011697:Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D005340:Fibrinogen