Consumptive Coagulopathies in the Patient with Cancer

Abstract

Introduction: Perioperative coagulation disorders in oncologic patients are events more frequent than what is actually known, due to the fact that a large number of them occur unnoticed.

Objective: To describe the physiopathological factors that favor the occurrence of acquired consumptive coagulopathies during the perioperative period in oncologic patients.

Methods: A narrative review was carried out during the period from January to March 2022, in Spanish and English, using the Ebsco, SciElo, Pubmed, Cubmed and Hinary databases as search sources, as well as the Zotero reference management software (version 5.0).

Results: To understand what happens in cancer patients regarding consumptive coagulopathies, it is necessary to understand the physiology of coagulation mechanisms. Both thrombotic and hemorrhagic disorders can be observed, due to an increase in the tissue factor that determines thrombin formation and a failure of antifibrinolytic mechanisms. Also, factors such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy and transfusion of hemocomponents increase the risk of suffering from them.

Conclusions: A consumptive coagulopathy in the oncologic patient is a multifactorial, complex and dynamic entity, which must be considered and diagnosed to avoid serious complications in the perioperative period.