Abstract
Haemorrhage frequently complicates the management of the patient with disseminated malignant disease. It is usually due to thrombocytopenia caused either by bone marrow infiltration with malignant cells or myelosuppression due to therapy1. In addition to thrombocytopenia associated with production failure, defects of haemostatic mechanism and qualitative defects of platelets themselves have been described. Disseminated intravascular coagulation associated with rapid platelet consumption, thrombocytopenia, decreased plasma fibrinogen levels and high levels of fibric degradation products has been recognized as causing severe haemorrhage in some patients with malignant disease, particularly acute promyelocytc leukaemia2. Although it is important to recognize these other causes of bleeding, thrombocytopenia due to production failure remains the single most important cause of haemorrhage in cancer patients.
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© 1980 MTP Press Limited
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McCredie, K. (1980). Clinical use of Platelet Transfusion in Acute Leukaemia. In: Lister, T.A., Malpas, J.S. (eds) Platelet Transfusion. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-8695-4_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-8695-4_5
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-0-85200-248-3
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