Disorders of hemostasis in malignancy

Disorders of hemostasis are frequent in malignant disease and their cause is often multifactorial and complex. Both primary (platelets and vessel walls) and secondary (coagulation factors) hemostasis are impaired, often concurrently. Therapy is most often directed toward the underlying disease; however, a knowledge of the complications and treatment of each malignancy will often prevent a number of the problems cited in this chapter. The hypercoagulable states are still poorly understood and need better definition, but their recognition, treatment and prevention may decrease morbidity significantly.