An Autopsy Case of Subacute Cor Pulmonale Due to Pulmonary Tumor Cell Emboli in a Patient with Gastric Cancer

Shin-ichiro Iwakami; Teruhiko Sato; Haruhi Takagi; Mitsuhiro Fujii; Naoko Iwakami; Kaku Yoshimi; Ryo Koyama; Masako Ichikawa; Masakata Yoshioka; Kazuhisa Takahashi

doi:10.2169/internalmedicine.48.1858

CASE REPORTS

An Autopsy Case of Subacute Cor Pulmonale Due to Pulmonary Tumor Cell Emboli in a Patient with Gastric Cancer

Shin-ichiro Iwakami, Teruhiko Sato, Haruhi Takagi, Mitsuhiro Fujii, Naoko Iwakami, Kaku Yoshimi, Ryo Koyama, Masako Ichikawa, Masakata Yoshioka, Kazuhisa Takahashi

Author information

Shin-ichiro Iwakami
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital
Teruhiko Sato
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine
Haruhi Takagi
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital
Mitsuhiro Fujii
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital
Naoko Iwakami
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital
Kaku Yoshimi
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine
Ryo Koyama
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine
Masako Ichikawa
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital
Masakata Yoshioka
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital
Kazuhisa Takahashi
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine

Keywords: cor pulmonale, gastric cancer, pulmonary tumor cell emboli

JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS

2009 Volume 48 Issue 12 Pages 1057-1060

DOI https://doi.org/10.2169/internalmedicine.48.1858

Details

Abstract

A 53-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital due to a severe respiratory condition and malnutrition. Radiological and electrophysiological findings suggested the existence of inexplicable cor pulmonale. Although we commenced to determine the causes of her severe condition, she suddenly died 3 days after admission. Postmortem autopsy revealed tumor cell microemboli in the small pulmonary arteries due to gastric cancer. Such a case of cor pulmonale as the first clinical manifestation is exceptionally rare. Occult malignancy should be considered as a differential diagnosis when one encounters a patient with subacutely aggravated respiratory condition and inexplicable cor pulmonale.

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