Adenocarcinoma of the lung presenting as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

• 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: Thrombotic microangiopathy; Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura; Lung cancer; Adenocarcinoma
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221300711730062X

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.