title: An unusual case of non-small-cell lung cancer presenting as spontaneous cardiac tamponade.
abstract: Hemorrhagic pericardial effusion with associated cardiac tamponade as a de novo sign of malignancy is seen in about 2% of patients.1 Consequently, cardiac tamponade is an oncologic emergency and considered a unique presentation of a malignancy.2 Cancer emergency is defined as an acute condition that is caused directly by the cancer itself or its treatment and requires intervention to avoid death or significant morbidity.3 The mechanism by which cardiac tamponade is classified as a life-threatening emergency stems from its impairment of right ventricular filling, resulting in ventricular diastolic collapse and decreased cardiac output, which can ultimately lead to death.4 We describe the case of a previously healthy woman in her late 40s who was a nonsmoker with no previous risk factors and who presented with a large pericardial effusion and bilateral pulmonary emboli. She was diagnosed with metastatic epidermal growth factor receptor-positive (EGFR-positive) adenocarcinoma of the lung. This case highlights an oncologic emergency as a de novo presentation of malignancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, PinnacleHealth Network, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA. sjoseph@pinnaclehealth.org.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, PinnacleHealth Network, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Al-Khalisy
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, PinnacleHealth Network, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Umair
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Randhawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Diision of Hematology and Oncology, PinnacleHealth Network, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lazar
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, PinnacleHealth Network, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Peroutka
keywords: EGFR; cardiac tamponade; erlotinib; hemopericardium; non-small cell lung cancer