The Southern Medical Journal (SMJ) is the official, peer-reviewed journal of the Southern Medical Association. It has a multidisciplinary and inter-professional focus that covers a broad range of topics relevant to physicians and other healthcare specialists.

SMJ // Article

Case Report

Acquired Hemophilia as a Paraneoplastic Manifestation of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor

Authors: Bharat Kumar, BA

Abstract

Acquired hemophilia is a severe hemorrhagic diathesis characterized by the emergence of anti-factor VIII inhibiting antibodies. It is rarely seen in certain types of cancers as a paraneoplastic syndrome. The case of a 73-year-old patient who developed acquired hemophilia during the course of treatment for a gastrointestinal stromal tumor is presented. A discussion of the diagnosis and treatment of acquired hemophilia as a paraneoplastic syndrome is also included.


Key Points


* The sudden onset of severe bleeding in a patient with gastrointestinal stromal tumor may indicate acquired hemophilia.


* Diagnosis is established through coagulation studies and assay of inhibiting antibody titers.


* Treatment for acquired hemophilia includes immunosuppression and administration of human coagulation factors.

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