These interactions may be the key stimuli in the initiation of cell activity and morphological changes that occur in cells. The increase may be real or secondary to greater diagnostic awareness. One-third of patients who survive the initial episode experience a relapse within the following 10 years. The physical examination may be normal. The course of the syndrome is not altered by termination of pregnancy.
Improved survival is due to aggressive treatment with plasmapheresis or plasma transfusion.
It may be the initial presenting syndrome. The usual presentation is thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, renal abnormalities and neurological dysfunction. Survival and prognosis are poor. There is an association between TTP and cancer. Anemia and thrombocytopenia occurring with TTP may be out of proportion to that expected from cancer and chemotherapy reaction.