An Autopsy Case of Gastric Cancer Associated with Microangiopathic Hemolytic Anemia without Local Relapse after 6 Years of Gastrectomy

Abstract

A 53-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of severe anemia. She had undergone gastrectomy for gastric cancer 6 years ago. On admission, physical examination revealed maciation, fever, severe anemia and hepatomegaly. Laboratory findings were as follows: hemoglobin 2.5 g/dl; reticulocytes 49‰; platelets 51,000/mm³; indirect bilirubin 1.75 mg/dl; LDH 763 IU; Al-P 1344 IU. Peripheral blood smear showed fragmented red cells and bone marrow aspiration was dry tap. In the biopsied bone marrow metastatic mucin-forming adenocarcinoma was observed. She was diagnosed as microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and died on October 28, 1978. Autopsy findings revealed metastatic mucin-forming adenocarcinoma in bone marrow and bilateral ovaries, but there was no evidence of carcinoma in the remaining stomach.