COAGULATION DISORDERS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN PATIENTS WITH LUNG CANCER AT DA NANG ONCOLOGY HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: The malignancy of the lungs is generally classified into two main types: non-small cell lung cancer and the more aggressive small cell lung cancer, accounting for approximately 80 - 85% and 15 - 20% of all cases, respectively. Causes of lung cancer mortality vary widely, among which, disorders of hemostasis leading to a hypercoagulable state and an increased risk of thrombosis are highly attributable. Hence, this study was conducted to investigate coagulation abnormalities and associated factors in lung cancer patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 93 patients with confirmed lung cancer hospitalized at Da Nang Oncology Hospital. The levels of coagulation parameters, including platelet count, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), and fibrinogen; and the factors associated with alterations in coagulation parameters in lung cancer patients were determined. Results: The mean platelet count was 300,33 ± 137,42 G/L, with 7,5% of patients showing thrombocytopenia and 18,3% showing thrombocytosis. The mean APTT was decreased in 1,1% and increased in 3,2% of patients with a mean of 26,22 ± 4,01 seconds. The mean PT was 11,91 ± 3,30 seconds and 6,5% of patients presented prolonged PT. Fibrinogen was elevated in 57% of patients with a mean concentration of fibrinogen of 4,19 ± 1,20 g/L. Patients in stage I - III of lung cancer had considerably lower fibrinogen level than those in stage IV (3,59 ± 1,04 g/L vs. 4,45 ± 1,17 g/L; p<0,05). Coagulation parameter were not significantly associated with age or sex of the patients.