Lymphangitis carcinomatosis of unknown origin presenting as severe pulmonary hypertension

Am J Med Sci. 2004 May;327(5):255-7. doi: 10.1097/00000441-200405000-00022.

Abstract

An apparently healthy 46-year-old woman was admitted because of progressive shortness of breath that had begun 2 months before her admission. Physical examination revealed a patient with respiratory distress, tachycardia, and mild jugular venous distention; otherwise, results were unremarkable. Our investigation revealed hypoxia and severe pulmonary hypertension with signs of right heart dysfunction, but no primary cause was found. The patient died 5 days after admission. Autopsy revealed pulmonary lymphangitis carcinomatosis caused by papillary carcinoma. No primary tumor was found.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Papillary / complications
  • Carcinoma, Papillary / diagnosis*
  • Carcinoma, Papillary / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Papillary / physiopathology
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / etiology
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / physiopathology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / complications
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Lymphangitis / complications
  • Lymphangitis / diagnosis*
  • Lymphangitis / pathology
  • Lymphangitis / physiopathology
  • Middle Aged