Incidental Pulmonary Embolism in Cancer Patients: A Single-Institution Analysis in Panama

Introduction: Incidental pulmonary embolisms (iPE) are common in cancer patients. Studies addressing iPE in oncology are increasing; however, few of these investigations have been conducted in a Latin-American population. This study aims to describe the incidence and characteristics of iPE in cancer patients in a comprehensive cancer center from Panama. Methods: A single-center, retrospective study was conducted at the National Institute of Oncology during a period of ۷ months. Every contrast-enhanced CT scan was reviewed. Electronic records and CT reports were reviewed for demographic, clinical, and radiological information. Results: We reported ۴۶ iPEs in ۴۰۶۵ scans (incidence=۱.۱۳%). The mean±SD age was ۶۴۱۳± years. Most patients were female (۶۳.۰%) and were outpatients (۷۳.۹%) when the CT scan was performed. Central iPEs were found in thirty-one patients (۶۷.۴%). Thirty patients were receiving chemotherapy (۵۴.۳%) or hormone therapy (۱۰.۹%); two-thirds had metastatic disease. The most frequently reported tumors were gastrointestinal, breast, and gynecologic cancers. More than ۷۰% were reported as asymptomatic, and ۷۸% were initially managed with anticoagulation. Conclusions: Our study reported a low incidence of iPE in oncologic patients (۱.۱۳%) which is consistent with what has been observed in previous studies (۰.۳۴%-۷.۳%). The true incidence is still uncertain, and it might be underestimated; especially the rate of subsegmental embolism.

Keywords:

Venous Thromboembolism , Multidetector Computed , Tomography , Medical Oncology , Anticoagulants