title: Disseminated intravascular coagulation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide an overview of the pathophysiology, manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) as it occurs in cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Published articles, research reports, and book chapters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The syndrome of DIC is a serious hypercoagulation state that in its acute form may be life-threatening. The hemorrhage and intravascular coagulation that occur with DIC may lead to irreversible morbidity and mortality. Prompt recognition and emergency treatment are necessary to help minimize morbidity and mortality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nurses can play an important role in early recognition of DIC to allow for prompt intervention. Nurses caring for patients affected by DIC will be providing complex nursing care, in addition to psychosocial support to patients and families.
authors.affiliation: Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, Melrose Park, IL, USA.
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Gobel
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000628:therapy; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing*; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery