Rapid Platelet Consumption in a Case of Metastatic Osteogenic Sarcoma of the Breast

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Abstract
An operation was carried out on an elderly female because of an osteogenic sarcoma of the breast. One yr later she developed a state of rapid thrombocytolysis resistant to high dose prednisolone therapy and splenectomy. At autopsy a large single metastasis was found in the right atrium and tumor emboli in the pulmonary artery. The shortening in platelet survival might have an immunological background. Trapping of fibrinous material within tumor emboli and mechanical platelet destruction caused by the tumor apparently were contributing factors.