Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation as the First Manifestation of Breast Cancer: Clinical Case Description

Abstract

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) can be defined as an acquired syndrome characterized by excessive and deregulated activation of the coagulation cascade, resulting from the formation of microthrombi and the consumption of coagulation factors and platelets, ultimately leading to multi-organ dysfunction. Both its acute and chronic forms can be associated with hemorrhage and/or thrombosis. The authors present a case of DIC, which initially presented as chronic and evolved into acute, requiring hospitalization in an intensive care unit. Under supportive therapy, the patient evolved unfavorably, and the post-mortem results revealed the association of CID with pluri-metastasized lobular and mucinous breast carcinoma.

The authors would like to draw attention to the need for early recognition of DIC, especially in its chronic form, and its association with neoplasia as a rare but potentially fatal entity.