Fibrinolysis in ovarian cancer

Coagulation disorders, including thromboembolic phenomena and disseminated intravascular coagulation are recognised as a complication of neoplastic disease. In the present study the Fibrinogen Degradation Products (F.D.P.) were determined in 26 patients with Advanced Ovarian Cancer (stage III and IV FIGO) (mean = 38.1; S.D. = 37.6) and in ten healthy patients considered as controls (mean = 2.7; S.D. = 13). The significative difference (p less than 0.05) between the two groups points in evidence an increasing activation of Ffibrynolytic processes. The F.D.P. determination has revealed a good correlation (p less than 0.001) with the tumor extension as showed by the difference between third stage with large tumor masses (late) (mean = 44.5; S.D. = 24.5) and third stage with minimal residual disease after reductive surgery (early) (mean = 6.7; S.D. = 5.7).