Pathophysiology of tumour-induced microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia

Pavani Chalasani1, Jennifer M Segar2, Marilyn Marron1

  • 1University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, Arizona, USA.

BMJ Case Reports
|January 9, 2016
PubMed

Cancer-associated microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia (CA-MAHA) is a syndrome characterised by Coombs-negative haemolytic anaemia and thrombocytopenia. It is primarily seen in advanced solid tumours and is distinct from thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/haemolytic uraemic syndrome. Diagnosis is often delayed and patients have a high mortality. We present the case of CA-MAHA in a patient with metastatic breast cancer treated successfully with early initiation of chemotherapy. In addition, we report longitudinal laboratory evaluation of circulating tumour cells and microparticles and suggest a hypothesis for the mechanism behind CA-MAHA.

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