Analysis of Coagulation Parameters in Patients with Breast Pathology and Their Possible Relevance to a Hypercoagulable State

Abstract

Background: To study the alteration in coagulation parameters such as activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT), D-dimer and fibrinogen among patients with benign and malignant breast lesions when compared to normal controls. Materials and methods: The present study was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted among 50 cases diagnosed with benign and malignant breast cancer and comparing them with 20 age-matched controls. Coagulation parameters such as PT, TT, APTT, fibrinogen, and D-dimer were collected and compared between the malignant cases, benign cases, and age-matched control groups based on clinical and demographic details, the status of Progesterone receptor, Estrogen receptor, Her2 Neu, side and grading of cancer. Results: Significant difference was reported with regard to mean age (p=0.0103) between malignant and benign tumor group (p=0.0103). Mean fibrinogen (p<0.001), thrombin time (p=0.007), and D-dimer (p<0.001) between the three groups also showed a statistically significant difference. Conclusion: Of the biological parameters assessed in the present study; thrombin time, D-dimer and fibrinogen levels show significant differences in patients with benign and malignant breast diseases. This may serve as a biological marker to evaluate the beginning of Cancer-associated venous thrombosis (CAT) in breast cancer patients.