Rapid platelet consumption in a case of metastatic osteogenic sarcoma of the breast

An operation was carried out on an elderly female because of an osteogenic sarcoma of the breast. One year later she developed a state of rapid thrombocytolysis resistant to high dose prednisolone therapy and spleenectomy. At autopsy a large single metastasis was found in the right atrium and tumour emboli in the pulmonary artery. It is suggested that the shortening in platelet survival might have had an immunological background. Trapping of fibrinous material within tumour emboli and mechanical platelet destruction caused by the tumour appear to have been contributing factors.