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  • Review Article
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Coagulation, anticoagulation and pancreatic carcinoma

Nature Clinical Practice Gastroenterology & Hepatology volume 5, pages 445–455 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

An increase in coagulation in patients with pancreatic carcinoma has long been documented. In this Review, we present what is known about the pathophysiology of increased coagulation in cancer and how it applies to pancreatic carcinoma. The relationship between the activation of coagulation or symptomatic thromboembolic disease and the development of pancreatic carcinoma is explored. Data on the relationship between thromboembolic disease and the behavior of pancreatic cancer before, during or after a diagnosis is made are also reviewed. Finally, the rationale and evidence for the use of oral anticoagulants or heparin in patients with pancreatic carcinoma is presented. This Review is a critical appraisal of what is known, and when the evidence is acceptable, on the subject of thromboembolism, anticoagulation, and treatment with anticoagulants in patients with pancreatic carcinoma.

Key Points

  • Pancreatic carcinoma is associated with activation of coagulation, and interplay between activation of coagulation, inflammation and angiogenesis seems to affect the morbidity and mortality of patients with pancreatic carcinoma

  • Thromboembolism predicts an increased risk for the development of an occult cancer, including a pancreatic carcinoma

  • Thromboembolic events are associated with a poorer prognosis in patients with pancreatic cancer than in those with other types of cancer

  • Recurrence of thromboembolism in patients with pancreatic carcinoma predicts reduced duration of survival

  • Use of either warfarin or low molecular weight heparin seems to improve survival in patients with pancreatic carcinoma

  • Two large multicenter studies on the use of low molecular weight heparin plus chemotherapy in patients with pancreatic carcinoma are under way

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Figure 1: A simplified scheme of the coagulation cascade.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported in part by the Max-Planck Society (IAN), the German Cancer Research Center (JML), and a research fund from the Dr Hans & Lore Graf Stiftung (JML).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. IA Nakchbandi is a Group Leader, Gastroenterology and Endocrinology at the Max-Planck Institute for Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany and the University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,

    Inaam A Nakchbandi

  2. J-M Löhr is a Professor of Gastroenterology and Hepatology in the Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden,

    J-Matthias Löhr

  3. Head of Molecular Gastroenterology at the German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.,

    J-Matthias Löhr

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Correspondence to J-Matthias Löhr.

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Nakchbandi, I., Löhr, JM. Coagulation, anticoagulation and pancreatic carcinoma. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 5, 445–455 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpgasthep1184

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