FIBRIN AND FIBRINOGEN DEGRADATION PRODUCTS IN MALIGNANCY

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Hematology
• Clinical Pathology

Background:

• Cancer patients often exhibit complex coagulation abnormalities.
• Intravascular coagulation and fibrinolytic syndrome (ICFS) is a serious complication in malignancy.
• Understanding FDP levels is crucial for managing cancer-related coagulopathies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantitatively assess fibrin degradation products (FDP), fibrinogen, and platelet levels in cancer patients.
• To investigate the correlation between elevated FDP and different stages of ICFS.
• To categorize cancer patients with elevated FDP based on coagulation status.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative estimation of FDP, fibrinogen, and platelets in 64 cancer patients (leukemia, lymphoma, solid tumors).
• Categorization of patients with elevated FDP (≥ 10 µgm/mL) into decompensated, overcompensated, and compensated ICFS.
• Analysis based on platelet counts and fibrinogen levels.

Main Results:

• Elevated FDP levels were detected in 29 out of 64 cancer patients.
• The study successfully categorized these 29 patients based on their platelet counts and fibrinogen levels.
• Findings indicate a significant prevalence of FDP elevation in the studied cancer cohort.

Conclusions:

• Elevated FDP levels are common in cancer patients and indicative of underlying coagulation disorders.
• FDP quantification, alongside platelet and fibrinogen assessment, aids in classifying ICFS in oncology.
• This classification can inform clinical management strategies for cancer-associated coagulopathy.