Cancer and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: Presentation of two cases

Abstract

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare and fatal disease characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, neurologic disorder, renal function deterioration and fever. TTP may be idiopathic or secondary to autoimmune diseases, drugs, cancer and infections. Clinical findings of TTP are also present in cancer patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation and sepsis. TTP must be considered in the differential diagnosis in the case of concurrent microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia with or without leukoerythroblastic blood smear in cancer patients. Here we presented two patients who were followed up in our clinic with TTP secondary to metastatic breast cancer. Copyright © 2008 by Türkiye Klinikleri.