Bleeding problems in the cancer patient

Bleeding problems in the cancer patient may result from the effects of the tumor on hemostatic mechanisms or from the treatment of the tumor by cytotoxic and other agents. Among the tumor-related bleeding problems are disseminated intravascular coagulation, primary fibrinolysis, thrombocytopenia, acquired platelet dysfunction, and circulating inhibitors or anticoagulants. Disseminated intravascular coagulation in most solid tumors is associated with hypercoagulability, whereas in acute promyelocytic leukemia bleeding is the most common presentation. Treatment-related bleeding disorders include the common problem of thrombocytopenia secondary to myelosuppressive chemotherapy as well as the interesting microangiopathic hemolytic anemia syndrome associated with mitomycin C and other agents.