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Had Been Suffering With Chest Pain, Shortness Of Breath While Walking, Headaches. Also Had A Massive Pulmonary Embolism. Could This Be A Sign That He Has Cancer?
My husband had been suffering with chest pain, shortness of breath while walking, headaches, etc. finally he went to our local emergency department and was admitted to hospital. No problems with his heart could be detected but when he finally got a CT scan done they discovered he had a massive pulmonary embolism. He was in hospital for a week and is still being treated with blood thinners. His warfarin levels jump around a lot. But, the main problem is that the doctors still don't know WHY he got the blood clot. He has no risk factors. He is still undergoing various tests to check for causes. Yesterday we found that his stool samples (which were taken a few days after he came home from hospital) both had blood in them. He is being referred to a gastrologist (sp?). Could this be a sign that he has cancer?
Sat, 4 May 2013
Hello, thanks for the query to H.C.M. Forum.
Since diagnosis is established and here we are discussing, why this EMBOLISM is there?
Pulmonary embolism is a blockage of the main artery of lung or its main branches by any clot.
Main reason of clot may be blood.
Small portion of case may be due to AIR,FAT,TALC IN DRUGS OF INTRAVENOUS DRUG ABUSES.
Risks of pulmonary embolism increased due to
Cancer ( carcinoma)
Prolonged bed rest due to paralysis or fracture etc.
As far as concerned about blood in stool , that may be due to blood thinner drugs.
Mostly these type of cases recovered with anticoagulant medications.
If not than only SURGERY is an option.
Good luck
Dr. HET
Since diagnosis is established and here we are discussing, why this EMBOLISM is there?
Pulmonary embolism is a blockage of the main artery of lung or its main branches by any clot.
Main reason of clot may be blood.
Small portion of case may be due to AIR,FAT,TALC IN DRUGS OF INTRAVENOUS DRUG ABUSES.
Risks of pulmonary embolism increased due to
Cancer ( carcinoma)
Prolonged bed rest due to paralysis or fracture etc.
As far as concerned about blood in stool , that may be due to blood thinner drugs.
Mostly these type of cases recovered with anticoagulant medications.
If not than only SURGERY is an option.
Good luck
Dr. HET
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3 Doctors agree with this answer
Out of many caused of massive pulmonary embolism, malignancies are also considered. In the history given, the is are no words about smoking history or any exposure to smoke due to occupation or lifestyle. To reply more clear I need above history and few more points-
- Age
- type of lifestyle i.e sedentary/ active/ hard working etc.
- history of use of tobacco products/ environmental exposure to smoke
- history of diabetes/ hypertension.
- Age
- type of lifestyle i.e sedentary/ active/ hard working etc.
- history of use of tobacco products/ environmental exposure to smoke
- history of diabetes/ hypertension.
I find this answer helpful
User's Response
Dr.'s
Response
Hello,
Although the most common cause for pulmonary embolism is a blood clot but cancer in the body can also result in pulmonary embolism.
Prima facie the cause for blood in stool sample seems to be due to the bleeding inside gut due to the use of blood thinners like warfarin.However this blood could be due to malignancy in colon.
Your husband has rightly been sent to gastroenterologist for evaluation and looking for the cause of bleeding.
Thanks
Although the most common cause for pulmonary embolism is a blood clot but cancer in the body can also result in pulmonary embolism.
Prima facie the cause for blood in stool sample seems to be due to the bleeding inside gut due to the use of blood thinners like warfarin.However this blood could be due to malignancy in colon.
Your husband has rightly been sent to gastroenterologist for evaluation and looking for the cause of bleeding.
Thanks
User's Response
Dr.'s
Response
Hello,
Although the most common cause for pulmonary embolism is a blood clot but cancer in the body can also result in pulmonary embolism.
Prima facie the cause for blood in stool sample seems to be due to the bleeding inside gut due to the use of blood thinners like warfarin.However this blood could be due to malignancy in colon.
Your husband has rightly been sent to gastroenterologist for evaluation and looking for the cause of bleeding.
Thanks
Although the most common cause for pulmonary embolism is a blood clot but cancer in the body can also result in pulmonary embolism.
Prima facie the cause for blood in stool sample seems to be due to the bleeding inside gut due to the use of blood thinners like warfarin.However this blood could be due to malignancy in colon.
Your husband has rightly been sent to gastroenterologist for evaluation and looking for the cause of bleeding.
Thanks
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