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

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.

A single-center, retrospective study was conducted at the National Institute of Oncology during a period of 7 months. Every contrast-enhanced CT scan was reviewed. Electronic records and CT reports were reviewed for demographic, clinical, and radiological information.

We reported 46 iPEs in 4065 scans (incidence=1.13%). The mean±SD age was 6413± years. Most patients were female (63.0%) and were outpatients (73.9%) when the CT scan was performed. Central iPEs were found in thirty-one patients (67.4%). Thirty patients were receiving chemotherapy (54.3%) or hormone therapy (10.9%); two-thirds had metastatic disease. The most frequently reported tumors were gastrointestinal, breast, and gynecologic cancers. More than 70% were reported as asymptomatic, and 78% were initially managed with anticoagulation.

Our study reported a low incidence of iPE in oncologic patients (1.13%) which is consistent with what has been observed in previous studies (0.34%-7.3%). The true incidence is still uncertain, and it might be underestimated; especially the rate of subsegmental embolism.