Case Report

Recurrent thromboflebitis as a warning sign for cancer: a case report

Henk CPM van Weert^1* and Francien Pingen²

• * Corresponding author: Henk CPM van Weert h.c.vanweert@amc.uva.nl

Author Affiliations

¹ Academic Medical Centre Amsterdam, Dpt General Practice Meibergdreef 15, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands

² Health Centre Gein, Wisseloordplein 50 1106 MH Amsterdam, the Netherlands

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Cases Journal 2009, 2:153 doi:10.1186/1757-1626-2-153

Published: 13 October 2009

Abstract

Introduction

The association between unprovoked deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism and malignancy is well established. For unprovoked superficial thrombophlebitis this association has been documented in a few case-reports only.

Case presentation

A 54-year-old apparently healthy male presents for the fourth time with an unprovoked superficial thrombophlebitis of the leg. When screened for underlying causes a renal cell carcinoma and an adenocarcinoma of the prostate are diagnosed. The renal cell carcinoma pointed out to have been visible on a CT-scan, made just before the time of the first presentation of the thrombophlebitis.

Conclusion

Unprovoked and recurrent thrombophlebitis is a rare condition and its presentation might be a warning sign for a (yet undiagnosed) cancer. Physicians should be on their guard and consider screening for cancer. Usefulness of such a screening however is not known.