Disseminated intravascular coagulation as the presenting sign of metastatic prostate cancer

Abstract

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is an acquired coagulation disorder that may occur in a wide variety of clinical conditions. Suspicion of DIC should lead to a differential diagnosis that includes primary fibrinolysis and other bleeding diatheses such as thrombocytopenias of diverse etiology. Confirmation of the diagnosis of DIC should always prompt a search for an underlying medical disorder, including sepsis, severe trauma, solid and hematological malignancies, obstetrical complications, and vascular disorders. Here, we describe an unusual case of acute bleeding and DIC as the presenting manifestation of metastatic prostate cancer in a 60-year-old man. Treatment with a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist and a short course of an antiandrogen, together with supportive measures (i.e., clotting factors, heparin, and platelets), led to normalization of all coagulation parameters within 1 week, and to clinical improvement and decline in the serum level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA). We discuss the pathogenesis, differential diagnosis, and association of DIC with prostate cancer along with the management of this condition. © 2006 by the Society of General Internal Medicine. All rights reserved.