Tumour-Associated Microangiopathic Haemolytic Anaemia with Thrombocytopenia: A Narrative Review and Case Study

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a category of diseases consisting of thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia, and widespread occlusive microvascular thrombosis. We report two cases of a thrombotic microangiopathic syndrome associated with non-invasive mucinous cysts and mucinous adenocarcinoma. TMA was treated in both cases by surgical removal of the tumours. We hypothesise that mucin secretion in the case of non-invasive mucinous cysts and paraneoplastic secretion of antibodies in the case of mucinous adenocarcinomas are the causes of endothelial damage with thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia. Finally, patients with TMA who exhibit unusual clinical characteristics or weak responses to plasma exchange should be examined for an underlying tumour. Tumour treatment is the preferred therapy for tumour-associated TMA.