Docetaxel chemotherapy temporarily improved pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy induced by prostate cancer secreting carcinoembryonic antigen and carbohydrate antigen 19-9: A case report

Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy (PTTM) is a rare, rapidly progressive, and often fatal complication of cancer, particularly prostate cancer. A 67-year-old man with advanced prostate cancer developed dyspnea. Chest computed tomography revealed ground-glass opacities across bilateral lung fields, and echocardiography showed right heart failure. As PTTM was suspected, docetaxel chemotherapy was administered immediately. His respiratory condition and right heart failure improved; however, 2-months later his respiratory symptoms were exacerbated, causing death. Autopsy showed fibrocellular intimal proliferation of the small pulmonary arteries, which confirmed PTTM induced by prostate cancer. Although PTTM is fatal, early diagnosis and treatment would improve the prognosis.