The effect of prolonged Coumadin treatment of tumor cells and metastases was studied using an experimental colon carcinoma of the rat. In vivo Coumadin induced significant changes in the number of circulating tumor cells and in the formation of hepatic metastases. These metastases were reduced from 31 % of the control animals to 15% of the Coumadin treated group. Prothrombin time, although prolonged to approximately double control values, did not cause severe hemorrhage. No deaths were reported in the anticoagulated animals, although some oozing from the surgical wound was detected. This oozing subsided following termination of treatment with coumadin.
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