J Lung Cancer.  2006 Jun;5(1):47-50. 10.6058/jlc.2006.5.1.47.

A Case of Pulmonary Thromboembolism Developed during Chemotherapy with Gemcitabine and Cisplatin for NonsmallCell Lung Cancer : A case report

Affiliations
  • 1Lung and Esophageal Cancer Clinic, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hsopital, Gwangju, Korea. kyc0923@jnu.ac.kr
  • 2Department of Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
  • 3Department of Internal Medicine, St. Carollo Hospital, Suncheon, Korea.

Abstract

Lung cancer patients have increased risk of thromboembolism (TE) due to various factors such as by hypercoagulability, tumor thrombosis, decrease of ambulation, and chemotherapy etc. Among these factors, chemotherapy associated TEs have been reported, although the causes and pathomechanisms of TEs were not clear. Recently, reports proposed the potential role of platelets in endothelial damage by the chemotherapeutic agents. We have experienced a case of pulmonary TE after systemic chemotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin. The patient complained aggravated exertional dyspnea after chemotherapy and diagnosed as pulmonary TE by computerized tomogram. After anticoagulation and interruption of the chemotherapy, improvement of exertional dyspnea and resolution of the pulmonary TE were observed

Keyword

Gemcitabine; Thromboembolism; Lung cancer

MeSH Terms

Cisplatin*
Drug Therapy*
Dyspnea
Humans
Lung Neoplasms*
Lung*
Pulmonary Embolism*
Thromboembolism
Thrombophilia
Thrombosis
Walking
Cisplatin

Figure

  • Fig. 1. Chest computed tomogram obtained on initial visit. 5 cm diameter necrotic mass and mediastinal lymphadenopathy were observed.

  • Fig. 2. Chest computed tomogram obtained after 3 cycles of gemcitabine and cisplatin chemotherapy showed thrombi in right main pulmonary artery.

  • Fig. 3. Chest computed tomogram obtained 6 months after anticoagulation therapy showing resolution of thrombi in the right main pulmonary artery.


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