Disseminated intravascular coagulation secondary to advanced pancreatic cancer treated successfully with combination chemotherapy

Both solid and hematologic malignancies may be complicated by coagulopathies. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in the presence of pancreatic cancer is generally unrecognized and may have fatal consequences. The diagnosis of DIC in a patient with advanced cancer is a poor prognostic indicator. Presented here is a case study consisting of two patients presenting with a new diagnosis of pancreatic cancer complicated by DIC. Aggressive supportive treatment in addition to systemic chemotherapy consisting of gemcitabine and nabpaclitaxel was initiated and DIC was controlled. An early diagnosis of DIC and the administration of systemic chemotherapy with a high response rate and an ability to reduce tumor bulk rapidly may offer some patients the probability of recovery.