Abstract

Activation of fibrinolysis resulting in bleeding was observed in patients with prostatic carcinoma. The aim of this study was to estimate the level of plasminogen, a precursor of plasmin and α2,-antiplasmin, its main inhibitor. Blood samples were obtained from 20 patients with prostatic carcinoma and benign prostatic hyperplasia. In three patients with carcinoma massive haematuria was observed. α2,-antiplasmin activity in patients with carcinoma was found to be lower than that in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Plasminogen level in both groups was normal. Additionally, routine fibrinolysis parameters were evaluated which proved to be normal except for the bleeding patients. Apart from the decreased α2,-antiplasmin activity and plasminogen level, the latter group showed a reduced euglobulin lysis time (ELT), increased level of fibrin degradation products (FDP), prolonged kaolin-kephalin time (aPTT) and low platelet count. The altered values of the parameters are, presumably, the evidence of the activation of fibrinolysis. The authors believe that patients with prostatic carcinoma are at higher risk of developing bleeding that those with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Keywords: prostatics carcinoma, Fibrinolysis, alpha2-antiplasmin, bleeding