title: Coagulopathy in the prostate cancer patient: prevalence and clinical relevance.
abstract: Carcinoma of the prostate has historically been associated with the bleeding diathesis which accompanies disseminated intravascular coagulation. We have performed a prospective study into the prevalence of coagulopathy in patients with untreated prostate cancer using matched patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) as controls. Haemostatic activation was assessed by measuring fibrinopeptide A (FpA) by an ELISA and D-dimer by a latex agglutination assay. FpA and D-dimer levels were correlated with serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) and bone scan status. Of the cancer patients, 40% had elevated FpA, levels being higher in those with bone scan positive disease (P < 0.05). D-dimer was detectable in 24% of those with prostate cancer but in none with BPH. Neither FpA nor D-dimer were related to serum PSA but D-dimer appeared to be a predictor of bone scan status with a positive predictive value of 91%. It is concluded that changes compatible with subclinical DIC are common in patients presenting with prostate cancer and that measurement of FpA and D-dimer may have roles as tumour markers in this disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, St Mary's Hospital, London.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Adamson
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Francis
authors.forename: R O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Witherow
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Snell
mesh_terms: D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents / Q000032:analysis; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000209:etiology*; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000032:analysis; D005344:Fibrinopeptide A / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; C036309:fibrin fragment D; D005344:Fibrinopeptide A; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen