Response of pulmonary artery intimal sarcoma to surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy: a case report

Hong-qing Long¹ , Qin Qin¹ and Cong-hua Xie²

¹Medical Department of Xianning University, Xianning, Hubei 437000, PR China

²Department of Cancer Radio-chemotherapy, Zhongnan Hospital and Cancer Center of Wuhan University, Donghu Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, PR China

author email corresponding author email

Journal of Medical Case Reports 2008, 2:217doi:10.1186/1752-1947-2-217


Published:	25 June 2008

Abstract

Introduction

Pulmonary artery intimal sarcoma is a rare disease with no characteristic symptoms. It is difficult to diagnose early and is frequently misdiagnosed as a pulmonary embolism.

Case presentation

Here we report a case of pulmonary artery intimal sarcoma in a 54-year-old woman presenting with complaints of shortness of breath on exertion. Echocardiography and a computed tomography scan showed that the right pulmonary artery trunk was blocked by a low-density mass. The patient was diagnosed with pulmonary artery intimal sarcoma by pathology and a complete mass resection was performed. After experiencing 10 months of disease-free survival, she was re-admitted because of the recurrence and metastasis of the tumor. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy were performed; however, only limited success was achieved. The patient died 15 months after the initial onset of symptoms.

Conclusion

Some patients with intimal sarcoma of the pulmonary artery can benefit from radiotherapy and chemotherapy as well as surgery.