Resolution of thrombocytopenia secondary to disseminated intravascular coagulation with docetaxel chemotherapy in prostate cancer

Abstract

Patients with metastatic hormone-refractory prostate carcinoma may have dramatic and life-threatening coagulation complications from their disease. They are at risk for either clotting or bleeding events. We report the case of a man with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer with disseminated intravascular coagulation who had both clotting and bleeding in addition to thrombocytopenia. The patient did not respond to supportive therapy and was treated with docetaxel despite a platelet count of 46/mm³. The treatment resulted in resolution of disseminated intravascular coagulation, normalization of the platelet count, and resolution of hematuria. We review disseminated intravascular coagulation in prostate cancer and different possible treatments.