[Lung cancer with venous thrombo-embolism: clinical characteristics]

ABSTRACT

Lung cancer is the most common malignancy diagnosed in patients with venous thrombo-embolism [VTE]. To investigate clinical, biological, radiological features and survival of lung cancer patients with VTE. Retrospective case-control study investigating biologic, clinical course and survival of 25 patients lung cancers with VTE [Group M] and 50 lung cancers without VTE [group T]. The frequency of the VTE was 5.88% with 2.58% pulmonary embolism [PE]. The mean age was 58 years +/- 9.8 in group M and 57.9 years +/- 9.6 in group T. No significant difference concerning medical or surgical history for both groups was found. The dyspnea and chest pain were at equal frequency [63.6%]. Regarding the clinical probability of the PE, it was no significant differences between the two groups. A rate of D-dimer > 0.7micro g/l was more frequent among group M [75% vs 20%; p = 0.054]. The most common histological type was nonsmall cell lung cancer [88%]. A stage IV was significantly more frequent in group M [86.4% vs. 52.3%; p = 0.007]. The mean period of survival in Group M was 10.6 +/- 1.2 month and 20.2 + 1.8 month in group T; p = 0.38. The VTE associated to lung cancer is under diagnosed. Prospective studies are needed to establish more adapted scores