Malignancies and catastrophic anti-phospholipid syndrome

Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2009 Jun;36(2-3):91-7. doi: 10.1007/s12016-008-8101-2.

Abstract

The catastrophic anti-phospholipid (Asherson's) syndrome (CAPS) is characterised by the rapid chronological development of fulminant thrombotic complications that predominantly affect small vessels and differs from the anti-phospholipid syndrome in its accelerated systemic involvement leading to multi-organic failure. Malignancy may play a pathogenic role in patients with CAPS, whereas infections are more important as triggering factors in patients without malignancies. CAPS patients with malignancies are generally older than CAPS patients without malignancies; they generally have the worst prognosis of the entire CAPS cohort.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / blood
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / blood
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / complications
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / epidemiology*
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / therapy
  • Catastrophic Illness
  • Germany
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / blood
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / complications
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / therapy
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / blood
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / complications*
  • Plasmapheresis
  • Prevalence
  • Prognosis
  • Registries*
  • Risk Factors
  • Thrombosis / blood
  • Thrombosis / immunology*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antiphospholipid