Hemorheological parameters during chemotherapy

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Miller, B. | Heilmann, L.

Affiliations: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universityhospital Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 4300 Essen 1, FRG

Note: [] Accepted by: Editor H. Hartert

Abstract: 25 patients with breast cancer after primary surgery and 10 patients with metastatic disease were investigated regarding hemorheological parameters such as erythrocyte aggregation, plasma viscosity, hematocrit and fibrinogen during chemotherapy with methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil and cyclophosphamide. Erythrocyte aggregation increased significantly during the first course of chemotherapy and remained elevated thereafter. There were no significant changes regarding the other parameters. The influence of tumor volume was much more important leading to significant differences between the two groups regarding erythrocyte aggregation, plasma viscosity and fibrinogen, while hematocrit and total protein concentration were not different.

Keywords: breast cancer, chemotherapy, hemorheology

DOI: 10.3233/CH-1987-7214

Journal: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 287-293, 1987