A Case of Pulmonary Embolism Due to Metastatic Chondrosarcoma.
- Author:
Duck Hyun JANG
1
;
Rak Kyeong CHOI
;
Eokewn HAM
;
Won Heum SIM
;
Myung Joon CHAE
;
Soo Youn LEE
;
Jooyong HYUN
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine and Sejong Medical Research Institute, Sejong General Hospital, Bucheon, Korea. yoorimbin@hanmail.net
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Chondrosarcoma;
Metastasis;
Pulmonary embolism
- MeSH:
Aspirin;
Chondrosarcoma;
Emergencies;
Female;
Humans;
Neoplasm Metastasis;
Neoplastic Cells, Circulating;
Prognosis;
Pulmonary Embolism;
Warfarin
- From:Korean Journal of Medicine
2013;84(1):96-100
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Acute pulmonary embolism is considered a cardiovascular emergency and is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. Tumor embolism is a rare and unique complication of malignancies, and detached thrombi or tumors may cause massive pulmonary embolism in patients with malignancies. The identification of the type of pulmonary embolism is critical because treatment and prognosis vary considerably. We report an unusual presentation of a tumor embolism that was misdiagnosed as a pulmonary thromboembolism in a young woman. The patient was initially treated with the anti-coagulants warfarin and aspirin, but her symptoms were aggravated after two months and she required emergency surgery. Histology revealed a pulmonary embolism due to metastatic chondrosarcoma. Following surgery, her condition deteriorated, and she did not survive. This case highlights the need to investigate the cause of pulmonary embolism should the patient not respond to anti-coagulatant therapy.
