Idiopathic venous thromboembolism and lung cancer

Introduction: Numerous studies has shown that venous thromboembolism is commmon complication in patients who present with carcinoma and it may be first manifestation of malignancy. The incidence of cancer is highest within the first 6 months, and approximately 40% of the cases alredy have metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. Aim of this study: The aim of our study was to determine the venous thromboembolism in patients with clinicaly and histologicaly confirmed lung cancer, before any kind therapeutic procedures are performed. Patients and methods: The study comprised 239 consecutive patients, 183 male and 56 female, admited at Department of Pulmonary Medicine in Sarajevo with histologicaly confirmed lung carcinoma, before therapeutic procedures, in period between from january 1. 2005 - decembre 31. 2007. Results: Median age of all patients with lung carcinoma was 63,4. The jungest patients was 24yrs., and the oldest patients 86 yrs. The male/female ratio was 3,2:1. Venous thrombosis was present in 2,1% of total number lung cancer patients, total numer 5, from total 239 lung cancer patients. Lung adenocarcinom were present in 3 and sguamous cell lung carcinoma in two patients. There was elevated platelet count,>400x 10 (9) /l, lukocytosis and higly elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate by all lung cancer patients with venous thrombosis.