A Case of Ascending Colon Cancer Comorbid with Thrombocytopenia Associated with Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome

Abstract

A 63-year-old man presented with a positive fecal occult blood test and was diagnosed with ascending colon cancer after a detailed examination. The patient had a history of thrombocytopenia incidentally detected at the age of 61. His blood test was positive for anti-cardiolipin and β2-glycoprotein-I complex, and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome was diagnosed. His preoperative coagulation tests showed absence of abnormalities, and antithrombotic therapy was not administered at surgery. However, due to a preoperative platelet count of approximately 50,000, he underwent high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy and platelet transfusion to increase the platelet counts. followed by laparoscopic ileocolic resection. The perioperative period proceeded without hemorrhagic complications. Here, we report a case of ascending colon cancer accompanied by thrombocytopenia associated with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, in which the perioperative period was successfully managed with high-dose IVIG therapy and platelet transfusion, with considerations from the literature.