thromboplastin and Fibrocystic-Breast-Disease

Difficulty in discriminating nonadvanced breast cancer from benign breast disease results in many cancer negative biopsies. Development of a test to better differentiate between these two entities to reduce the number of cancer negative biopsies was the purpose of this blind study. The clue that prompted the development of this test resides in the state of hypercoagulability in cancer. Hypercoagulability can be measured by assessing tissue factor-mediated altered coagulability. The amount of tissue factor release is contingent on prior activation of the monocyte (the only blood cell that generates tissue factor) in vivo.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Biopsy; Blood Coagulation; Breast; Breast Neoplasms; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Fibrocystic Breast Disease; Humans; Mammography; Middle Aged; Thromboplastin

Topics: Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Female; Fibrocystic Breast Disease; Humans; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Male; Neoplasms; Thromboplastin

Hypercoagulability in malignant disease can be attributed, in part, to excess generation of tissue factor (thromboplastin) by the monocyte. Incubation of anticoagulated venous blood with endotoxin (a cellular activator) enables the generation of tissue factor by monocytes. The quantity of this procoagulant generated is determined by a simple recalcification time (a marker for cellular activation). Individuals with breast cancer have significantly shorter endotoxin-activated recalcification times than patients with cystic hyperplasia, who have, in turn, significantly reduced recalcification times when compared with those of healthy volunteers.

Topics: Adult; Breast Diseases; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Fibrocystic Breast Disease; Humans; Middle Aged; Thromboplastin