A lung cancer patient with deep vein thrombosis:a case report and literature review

Yungu Chen,
Yiu Sing Tsang,
Xiaoxia Chou,
Jiong Hu and
Qing XiaEmail author

BMC Cancer201919:285

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-019-5513-8

Received: 12 November 2018
Accepted: 25 March 2019
Published: 29 March 2019

Open Peer Review reports

Abstract

Background

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common problem in cancer patients and the incidence is increasing, especially for patients with lung cancer. Common features of these patients, like advanced stage, male gender, old age and chemotherapy, are risk factors of VTE. Here we reported a case in which the patient with lung cancer developed deep vein thrombosis (DVT) when receiving chemotherapy.

Case presentation

A 53-year-old male who was diagnosed with lung cancer with multiple metastasis developed severe DVT during chemotherapy. Despite the use of aspirin, warfarin and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) for anticoagulant and thrombolytic therapy, the condition was still deteriorating, resulting in amputation finally.

Conclusions

It’s rare that the conditions of cancer patients who develop venous thromboembolism (VTE) keep deteriorating despite the administration of aspirin, warfarin and low weight molecular heparin. Both early diagnosis and prophylactic use of anticoagulants are suggested for cancer patients to improve the prognosis.