Hypercoagulable state induced by cytostatic drugs in stage II breast cancer patients.
An increased incidence of thromboembolic complications occurring in cancer patients during chemotherapy was recently reported. In view of this report, a study in 49 patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy for Stage II breast cancer was begun in order to determine the effect of antineoplastic drugs on coagulation factors and platelet function. Among the coagulation factors, a significant decrease of thrombin time and partial prothrombin time was observed, whereas platelet function tests were unchanged. This finding suggests a trend towards hypercoagulability induced by chemotherapy. This effect should be considered when chemotherapy is employed in advanced cancer patients at high risk for thrombosis.
D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010314:Partial Thromboplastin Time; D010973:Platelet Adhesiveness / Q000187:drug effects; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011517:Prothrombin Time; D012306:Risk; D013918:Thrombin Time
D005340:Fibrinogen