Spontaneous resolution of acquired factor V inhibitor associated with ovarian carcinoma.

A 74-year-old lady who presented initially with loin pain and haematuria, then melaena was found to have a prothrombin time ratio (PTR) > 10 and activated partial thromboplastin time ratio (APTTR) > 7. A factor V inhibitor was diagnosed. She was managed with supportive care and the FV inhibitor resolved. A few weeks later she developed abdominal swelling and ascites and was found to have an ovarian tumour. This is the first case, as far as we are aware, of a malignancy-associated FV antibody that has spontaneously remitted before overt presentation of the tumour and illustrates the value of adopting an expectant approach to the management of acquired FV inhibitors.