Thrombosis of the pulmonary artery in a patient with mucinous adenocarcinoma

The increased tendency to thromboembolism in cancer patient has been recognized for a long time. However, arterial thromboembolism and thrombosis of the pulinonary artery have rarely been reported. Pulmonary thromboembolism is usually a complication of peripheral venous thrombosis.

Here we report on a 62-year-old female patient who presented with pulmonary artery thrombosis anti peritonitis carcinomatosa. Computed tomography of the thorax and digital subtraction angiography of both pulmonary arteries revealed multiple filling defects in virtually all the lobes of the right lung, in the mid-zone of the left lung, and a gross filling defect in the right main pulmoinary artery. These findings suggested that the thrombosis in the right pulmonary artery was primary rather than an embolus. No venotis thrombos is in the vena cava, pelvic veins, or any of the lower extremity veins was documented.

Although thrombosis of the pulmonary artery is rarely seen in cancer patients, it is usually fatal and needs urgent intervention to save the patient's life.