BACKGROUND:

The increased risk for thrombosis is also valid for breast cancer. Protein C, protein S and antithrombin III levels that are all representative of inhibitory mechanism of coagulation were evaluated for a group of women with breast cancer.

METHODS:

Twenty four patients with the histopathological diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast, 10 patients with benign breast disease and 10 control patients without any history of breast disease have been studied.

RESULTS:

Antithrombin III levels for breast cancer group, benign breast disease group and control group were 110.03 ±17.41%, 97.16±8.64%, 93.10±12.24% respectively. At statistical analysis, there was a significant difference between breast malignancy and benign breast disease group and control group (p=0.034, p=0.009 respectively). Protein C levels for breast cancer group, benign breast disease group and control group were 86.25±36.23%, 114.90±7.47% and 119.20±13.30% respectively. At statistical analysis, there was a significant difference between breast malignancy and benign breast disease group and control group (p=0.023, p=0.015 respectively). Protein S levels for breast cancer group, benign breast disease group and control group were 59.12±23.25%, 99.40±7.64% and 98.90±17.71% respectively. At statistical analysis, there was a significant difference between breast malignancy and benign breast disease group and control group (p=0.0001, p=0.0001 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS:

As it is the case for many cancers, natural anticoagulative pathways are also altered for breast cancer. Therefore, every precautions to decrease thromboembolism should also be taken for breast cancer patients.