Disseminated intravascular coagulation in prostatic disease.

DIC may complicate prostatic disease either in its acute type during resection of the prostate causing excessive intra- or postoperative bleeding, or in its chronic type in cases with adenocarcinoma of the prostate with haematogenous metastases. Pathogenesis, diagnosis, clinical course, differentiation of the condition against consumption of clotting factors by primary fibrinolysis, and treatment are discussed. The course in four characteristic cases is demonstrated.