Adenocarcinoma of the lung presenting as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

Acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) usually presents as severe microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA) and thrombocytopenia in a previously healthy individual. It occurs in approximately three in one million adults and 1 in 10 million children annually. The incidence is increased in...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ahmed Dirweesh, Waqas Siddiqui, Muhammad Khan, Praneet Iyer, Marc Seelagy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2017-01-01
Series:Respiratory Medicine Case Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221300711730062X
Description
Summary:Acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) usually presents as severe microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA) and thrombocytopenia in a previously healthy individual. It occurs in approximately three in one million adults and 1 in 10 million children annually. The incidence is increased in females and blacks. Diagnosing TTP and initiating therapy with plasma exchange is a must to avoid preventable complications. Acquired thromotic microangiopathy has been linked to collagen vascular diseases, use of certain medications, organ transplants, infections, pregnancy and cancer. We report a rare case of a 56-year-old African American male diagnosed with TTP who found to have an asymptomatic adenocarcinoma of the lung. Prompt cancer management resulted in completed remission of the thrombotic microangiopathy.
ISSN:2213-0071