Perioperative development of a thrombogenic risk profile in patients with carcinomas of the breast: a cause of increased thrombosis

Within the context of a prospective study we investigated the influence of malignant and benign breast disease on the coagulation systems both prior t o and after surgery. In addition we also investigated to what extent indivi dual risk factors aid the formation of a thrombophiliac risk profile. Altogether 50 patients with carcinomas of the breast and 12 patients with b enign breast disease were included in the study. The coagulation investigat ions took place prior to surgery and on the 1st, 3rd. 7th and 10th day foll owing the operation. The results have already revealed that prior to surgery a clear activation of the haemostasis takes place among patients with a car cinema of the brea st. When compared to patients with benign breast conditions there was a far greater plasma level of factor VIII vWF, fibrinogen, thrombin-antithrombin III complex, D-dimer fibrin degradation products, tissue-type plasminogen activator and the activity and the antigen of plasminogen activator inhibit or 1. Also during the postoperative period the malignant tumour was a stimu lus for additional increased activity of blood coagulation and fibrinolysis . Individual risk factors such as age, menopausal status, obesity and smoki ng lead to a thrombogenic risk profile which could provide a possible expla nation for the observed increased incidence of thrombosis in breast cancer patients. For the clinical work then is a need for intensive pre- and postoperative m onitoring in the cases of patients with malignant tumours including angiolo gical examinations, intensive physiotherapy and a risk-adapted prophylactic anticoagulation.