Fibrinogen Degradation Products and D-Dimers in Patients with Breast Carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Many patients with cancer are complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation. This study was aimed to determine the level of Fibrinogen Degradation Products and D-Dimers at various stages in patients suffering from breast carcinoma. Material and methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the Department of Pathology, Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lahore, Pakistan, from June 2003 to June 2004. Sampling method was by convenience. Two groups were taken; Group-1 including 50 patients with breast carcinoma and Group-2 comprising of 25 healthy controls. Fibrinogen Degradation Products and D-Dimer levels were estimated in the blood and the results compared. Results: Out of 50 patients, 28 (56%) had Fibrinogen Degradation Products >40 μg/ml; 13 (26%) in stageIII and 15 (30%) in stage-IV. 15 (30%) patients had levels between 5-40μg/ml; 8 (16%) in stage-II and 7 (14%) in stage-III. Only 7 (14%) had levels