Hemostatic function in cancer patients

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Updated: Oct 14, 2026

A Microfluidic Flow Chamber Model for Platelet Transfusion and Hemostasis Measures Platelet Deposition and Fibrin Formation in Real-time
09:38

A Microfluidic Flow Chamber Model for Platelet Transfusion and Hemostasis Measures Platelet Deposition and Fibrin Formation in Real-time

Published on: February 14, 2017

M S Kies, J J Posch, J P Giolma

    Cancer
    |August 15, 1980
    PubMed

    We performed coagulation profiles including a complete blood count (CBC), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and quantitation of fibrinogen, antithrombin III (AT III), plasminogen, and fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) on 73 cancer patients. All had solid tumors with clinically documented metastases. Eleven patients had strong clinical and laboratory evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Fifty-five of the remaining 62 patients had no clinical evidence of serious hemorrhage or thrombosis at the time of testing. Thirty-one (50%) non-DIC patients had no abnormal clotting tests. Our data indicate that a majority of cancer patients, with or without hepatic involvement, are able to maintain normal or near normal hemostatic function in vitro until advanced stage of disease. Deviation from normal for PT, aPTT, or TT, depressed AT III activity, or increased FDP signal the presence of complicating pathophysiologic events such as DIC or cirrhosis. Diminution of fibrinogen level or AT III activity and elevation of FDP are more sensitive indicators of DIC than prolongation of PT, aPTT, or TT.

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