Summary
Eight patients suffering from wide-spread malignancies presented with a severe microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia (MHA) without gross evidence for coagulation abnormalities. The common feature in these patients was bone marrow infiltration with malignant cells, suggesting a pathogenic link between bone marrow carcinosis and red cell destruction. Furthermore, it is concluded that MHA is a rare complication of malignancy and a terminal syndrome rather than an early manifestation of the disease.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Brain, M.C, Dacie, J.V., Hourihane, D.O.B.: Microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia: the possible role of vascular lesions in pathogenesis. Brit. J. Haemat. 8, 358–374 (1962)
Brain, M.C., Azzopardi, J.G., Baker, L.R.I., Pineo, G.F., Roberts, P.D., Dacie, J.V.: Microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia and mucin-forming adenocarcinoma. Brit. J. Haemat. 18, 183–193 (1970)
Büchi, G., Navone, R.: Descrizione di due casi di anemia emolitica microangiopatica associata ad adenocarcinoma muciparo dello stomaco. Tumori 59, 181–192 (1973)
Bull, B.S., Rubenberg, M.L., Dacie, J.V., Brain, M.C.: Microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia: mechanisms of red-cell fragmentation: in vitro studies. Brit. J. Haemat. 14, 643–652 (1968)
Cohan, M., Pittman, G., Hoffmann, G.C.: Hemolytic anemia, tumor cell emboli, and inlravascular coagulation. Arch. Path. 93, 305–307 (1972)
Dacie, J.V., Lewis, S.M.: Praclical Haemalology. 4. Ed. Reprint. London: Churchill Livingstone 1970
Dacie, J.V.: Hemolytic uremic syndrome, microangiopathy and disseminated intravascular coagulation. In: Duckert, F., Brinkhous, K.M., Hinnom, S. (Eds.): Immunological mechanisms in blood coagulation, thrombosis and hemostasis. Thrombos. Diathes. haemorrh. Suppl. 45; pp. 153–156. Stuttgart, New York: Schattauer 1971
Friedell, G.H.: Anaemia in cancer. Lancet 1965/I, 365–359
Hilgard, P., Hohage, R., Schmitt, W., Köhle, W.: Microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia associated wilh hypercalcaemia in an experimental ral tumor. Brit. J. Haemat. 24, 245–259 (1973)
Hilgard, P., Gordon-Smith, E.C.: Microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia and experimental tumor-cell emboli. Brit. J. Haemat. 26, 651–659 (1974)
Jaffe, E.A., Nachman, R.L., Merskey, C: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura — coagulation parameters in twelve patients. Blood 42, 499–507 (1973)
Klein, P.J., Schunn, H., Schaefer, H.E., Féaux deLacroix, W., Fischer, R.: The development of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia in the model of a transplantable hemangio-endothelioma of the J 129 mouse. Beitr. Path. 155, 379–397 (1975)
Lohrmann, H.P., Adam, W., Heymer, B., Kubanek, B.: Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia in metastatic carcinoma. Report of eight cases. Ann. intern. Med. 79, 368–375 (1973)
Lynch, E.C., Bakken, C.L., Casey, T.H., Alfrey, C.P., Jr.: Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia in carcinoma of the stomach. Gastroenlterology 52, 88–93 (1967)
MacCallum, R.N., Lynch, E.C., Hellums, J.D., Alfrey, C.P., Jr.: Fragility of abnormal erythrocytes evaluated by response to shear stress. J. Lab. clin. Med. 85, 67–74 (1975)
Pineo, G.F., Brain, M.C., Gallus, A.S., Hirsh, J., Hatton, M.W.C, Regoeczi, E.: Tumors, mucus production, and hypercoagulability. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 230, 262–270 (1974)
Sjögren, U. Brandt, L.: Erythropoiesis in patients with bone marrow metastases. Acta med. scand. 195, 325–328 (1974)
Stratford, E.C., Jr., Tanaka, K. R.: Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia in metastatic carcinoma. Arch, intern. Med. 116, 346–350 (1965)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
P. H. was supported by a grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Bonn-Bad Godesberg, F.R.G. (Hi 213/4)
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Firusian, N., Hilgard, P. & Faidas, G. Microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia in cancer patients with bone marrow infiltration. Z. Krebsforsch. 92, 295–299 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00461652
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00461652