[Pulmonary embolism as a first manifestation of synchronous occurrence of two neoplasms].

Abstract

A case of 67-year-old man with a first episode of acute, unprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE). Screening for cancer revealed coexistence of two neoplasms: colon sigmoid cancer (operated on 6 weeks after pulmonary embolism onset), and multiple myeloma (treated successfully with thalidomide and dexamethasone). Low molecular weight heparin use as VTE treatment was followed by thromboprophylaxis for myeloma therapy. During a 30-month follow-up period, neither new thromboembolic complications nor cancer recurrence were observed. Overlapping different prothrombotic mechanisms of double malignancy might result in detection of both neoplasms at early stage.

• Authors: Waldemar Elikowski, Maria Lewandowska, Małgorzata Małek, Piotr Krokowicz, Grazyna Piotrowska-Stelmaszyk, Krystyna Zawilska
• Journal: Kardiologia polska (Kardiol Pol) Vol. 67 Issue 11 Pg. 1262-6; discussion 1267 (Nov 2009) ISSN: 0022-9032 [Print] Poland
• Vernacular Title: Zatorowość płucna jako pierwszy objaw synchronicznego zachorowania na dwa nowotwory.
• PMID: 20024855 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight
• Thalidomide
• Dexamethasone

Topics

• Aged
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (therapeutic use)
• Colonic Neoplasms (complications, diagnosis)
• Dexamethasone (therapeutic use)
• Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Male
• Multiple Myeloma (complications, diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Neoplasms, Second Primary (complications, diagnosis)
• Pulmonary Embolism (diagnosis, etiology)
• Thalidomide (therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome