[Pulmonary arterial hypertension due to tumor emboli].
BACKGROUND
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is rare in the presence of malignancy and tumour embolisation is one of several possible pathological mechanisms.


METHODS
We report our experience of 5 clinical cases and undertake a literature revue of the pathophysiological mechanisms and of the possible diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.


CONCLUSIONS
Neoplastic PAH due to tumour micro-emboli is rare and the diagnosis difficult to establish. Cytological examination of pulmonary arterial blood could allow early institution of appropriate chemotherapy and lead to an improvement in the grave prognosis of this condition.
Dot
J M
JM
Centre national de référence de l'hypertension pulmonaire, UPRES EA 2705, service de pneumologie et réanimation respiratoire, Hôpital Antoine Béclère, Assistance publique-hôpitaux de Paris, université Paris Sud, Clamart, France.
Sztrymf
B
B
Yaïci
A
A
Dorfmüller
P
P
Capron
F
F
Parent
F
F
Jaïs
X
X
Sitbon
O
O
Simonneau
G
G
Humbert
M
M
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000209:etiology*; D008039:Linitis Plastica / Q000175:diagnosis; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009360:Neoplastic Cells, Circulating; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis