Ascending thrombophlebitis after foam sclerotherapy as first symptom of breast cancer

Malignancy increases the risk of thromboembolic events. Vascular events such as venous thromboses can even precede the diagnosis of cancer. A 48-year-old woman presented with an extensive thrombophlebitis of the left small saphenous vein and a perforating vein of the right leg after foam sclerotherapy with Aethoxysklerol foam 0.5% for small varicose veins of both lower legs. A few days later an unknown advanced breast cancer was diagnosed. This case shows that not only venous thromboses but also thrombophlebitis can be a warning sign for malignancy.