[Blood coagulation disorders and tumor growth]

A relationship between blood coagulation system and tumor growth is discussed. The role of hemocoagulation disorders in the pathogenesis, dissemination and advancement of disease at molecular, cellular, body and population level is discussed on the basis of the authors' results and literature data. Rastr electron microscopy and immunofluorescent method revealed fibrin on the surface of tumor cells both in vivo and in vitro which is thought to play a masking and protective role. Studies of clotting and anticlotting factors in various subgroups of healthy subjects and patients with precancer and cancer revealed a steady-state increase in blood coagulability in cancer patients of old age. On these grounds, blood fibrinogen level was used for screening. Increased fibrinogen level was associated with higher tumor occurrence. The authors' concept of the pathogenetic role of the coagulation system in tumor growth provided a rationale for the use of direct and indirect anticoagulants in addition to cytotoxic drugs for breast, ovarian and gastric cancer. As a result, cytotoxic treatment was more effective and better tolerated.