[Hematologic or hemostaseologic "paraneoplastic syndromes" as prognostic factors?]

Abstract

Paraneoplastic syndromes are early but seldom appearing remote effects of tumors. In contrast, hematological or hemostaseological tumor signs can be demonstrated nearly in every tumor patient, mostly, however, after prolonged disease. The signs result from interaction between tumor and host, they depend upon the monocyte-macrophage system and are mediated by interleukin-1. Therefore, strictly speaking, they are no paraneoplasias. By genetic instability and increasing heterogeneity, the tumor cell gradually overcomes this defence line and the clinical pictures of different metastatic diseases equalize slowly. Finally, main causes of death are equally occurring infectious and hemostaseological complications. They demonstrate the final breakdown of this defence system.