Cancer Res Treat.  2012 Dec;44(4):267-270.

A Case of Locally Advanced Breast Cancer Complicated by Pulmonary Tumor Thrombotic Microangiopathy

• Kim HJ
• Kwak MH
• Kong SY
• Seong MW
• Kang HS
• Lee KS
• Ro J

Abstract

Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy (PTTM) is a rare, malignancy-related complication that causes marked pulmonary hypertension, right heart failure, and death. We report on a patient with locally advanced breast cancer whose course was complicated by fatal PTTM based on clinical and laboratory findings.

Keyword

Breast neoplasms; Pulmonary hypertension; Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy

MeSH Terms

Breast
Breast Neoplasms
Heart Failure
Humans
Hypertension, Pulmonary
Thrombotic Microangiopathies

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Peripheral blood smear showing schistocytes and reticulocytes (×400).

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  Fig. 2 Chest computed tomography image shows an enhanced mass in the right breast and dilatation of the pulmonary artery. There was no evidence of thromboembolism in either the pulmonary artery or segmental artery.

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  Fig. 3 Echocardiogram showing right ventricular enlargement and a D-shaped left ventricle.

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  Fig. 4 Lung perfusion scan showing multiple wedge-shaped perfusion defects in both lungs. RT-LAT, right lateral; RPO, right posterior oblique; LT-LAT, left lateral; LPO, left posterior oblique.

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