A Case of Pulmonary Tumor Thrombotic Microangiopathy Caused by Gastric Carcinoma

Abstract

We report a case of pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy (PTTM) caused by gastric carcinoma. A 74-year-old woman underwent distal gastrectomy in October 2009 for gastric carcinoma. Subsequently, postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy was initiated, but it was discontinued after ３ cycles because of worsening of her performance status. During the postoperative course, we did not detect any evidence of recurrence, though the levels of tumor markers were found to be elevated. The patient was admitted to our hospital with general fatigue in July 2010. She complained of progressive dyspnea on the fifth hospital day. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed multiple centrilobular nodules and tree-in-bud pattern. These CT findings and her symptoms were indicative of PTTM. Despite intensive care, she died of severe respiratory failure on hospital day 8. The pathological results of autopsy were compatible with PTTM characteristics. We should examine early diagnostic imaging in the cancer patients with respiratory symptom, and PTTM should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Towards an optimal and unbiased approach for tumor cell isolation

“…Third, the circular pore design can damage the cell morphology severely as the cells experience the blocking force of flow across the membrane. Finally, patients have varying levels of WBCs as compared to normal individuals due to their response to therapy Fujiwara et al 2011). Due to the variation, samples from patients with high levels of WBCs demonstrate physical blockage of pores on the membrane.…”