Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in metastatic carcinoma of the breast.

We present a case of a 52-year-old woman with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura associated with progressive metastatic adenocarcinoma of the breast. The patient received plasma exchange therapy. Thrombocytopenic purpura resolved 2 months after discontinuation of plasma exchange while the patient received chemotherapy. After 3 more months, a fulminant relapse of the thrombocytopenic purpura developed, and there were signs of tumor progression. She died despite adequate treatment. We conclude that effective treatment of the underlying tumor can be crucial to control cancer-associated thrombocytopenic purpura.