TISSUE FACTOR AND PROTHROMBIN TIME AS POSSIBLE PROGNOSTIC FACTORS FOR VARIOUS STAGES OF BREAST CANCER

Abstract

Background: The mutual relationship between cancer and coagulation disorders is supported by a wealth of reliable data, with cancer gaining recognition as a risk factor for thromboembolic events. In fact, venous thromboembolism (VTE) incidence rates at the level of the general population range from one to two instances per 1000 persons per year, but cancer patients often exhibit a four to ten times higher risk.

Objective: The current study set out to measure the tissue factor and prothrombin time levels in breast cancer patients' serum, compare those levels to the patients' clinical stages, and assess whether or not they may have predictive value.

Materials and methods: sixty- two Iraqi newly diagnosed breast cancer patients were included in this study for evaluation of tissue factor by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay'' ELISA' and prothrombin time by Hemostat thromboplastin- SI.

Results: The mean tissue factor level was found to be significantly greater in the blood of stage IV patients than that of other stages (I, II, and III), despite the fact that there was no conclusive correlation between prothrombin time and different stages of breast cancer in female patients.

Conclusions: Tissue factor was significantly increased in stage IV breast cancer compared to stages I, II, and III. There were no discernible differences between the prothrombin time values in any of the stages of breast cancer.