Published in:
Open Access 01-12-2005 | Case report
Ventricular metastasis resulting in disseminated intravascular coagulation
Published in: World Journal of Surgical Oncology | Issue 1/2005
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Background
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) complicates up to 7% of malignancies, the commonest solid organ association being adenocarcinoma. Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC) has rarely been associated with DIC.
Case presentation
A 74-year-old woman with TCC bladder and DIC was found to have a cardiac lesion suspicious for metastatic disease. The DIC improved with infusion of plasma and administration of Vitamin K, however the cardiac lesion was deemed inoperable and chemotherapy inappropriate; given the patients functional status. We postulate that direct activation of the coagulation cascade by the intraventricular metastasis probably triggered the coagulopathy in this patient.
Conclusion
Cardiac metastases should be considered in cancer patients with otherwise unexplained DIC. This may influence treatment choices.