title: Trousseau's syndrome related to adenocarcinoma of the colon and cholangiocarcinoma.
abstract: Malignancy-related thromboembolism, so-called Trousseau's syndrome, can present as acute cerebral infarction, non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) and migratory thrombophlebitis. It is usually attributed to a cancer-related hypercoagulable state, chronic disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC), or tumour embolism. We report on two patients with adenocarcinoma of the colon and cholangiocarcinoma who developed widespread thromboembolism during disease progression. Both did poorly despite aggressive institution of anticoagulation therapy. These cases emphasize that cerebral infarction or refractory thromboembolism in cancer-treated patients should prompt investigation for recurrent or metastatic disease or progression of the underlying malignancy. Optimal treatment remains to be established.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital and National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: S-H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Tasi
authors.forename: C-J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Juan
authors.forename: M-S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: W-Y
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Kao
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic; D018281:Cholangiocarcinoma / Q000150:complications*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020766:Intracranial Embolism / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed