Case of Atypical thromboembolism due to cancer in pregnancy

A Case of Atypical thromboembolism due to cancer in pregnancy has been published in the Journal of Clinical Gynecology and Obstetrics.

Peripartum thrombocytopenia and thrombotic events are usually attributable to diseases like Hemolysis Elevated Liver Enzymes Low Platelets (HELLP) and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Malignancy is a rare cause and gastric cancer even more unusual.

The authors report the case of a 28-year-old female with undiagnosed hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC) in the peripartum period initially presenting with nausea and blurry vision at 35 weeks’ gestation. Following cesarean section 1 week later, she developed thrombocytopenia and elevated blood pressure; HELLP was diagnosed.

Development of acute kidney injury, decreasing platelet count and anemia lead to consideration of TTP. Despite plasmapheresis, she had no improvement, developed respiratory failure and had acute large vessel arterial and venous thrombosis with multiple cerebral, renal, splenic and lower extremity arterial infarctions. Deep venous thrombosis of lower limbs was also seen.

The patient was placed on corticosteroids and anticoagulation. Following extensive workup, vegetations on mitral valve were seen on echocardiography and she was started on antibiotics for endocarditis. She deteriorated into refractory shock, multiple organ failure and died on a postpartum day 8. The autopsy done revealed diffuse submucosal gastric adenocarcinoma (linitus plastica). Metastases were present on small bowel, fallopian tubes, ovary, and the placenta. Mitral valve had marantic vegetations. Tumour cells showed CDH1 gene mutation.

Learning Points:

• Such a diagnosis in pregnancy is very challenging due to overlapping symptoms leading to misdiagnosis.


• Here, thromboembolism was malignancy-related and rapid spread probably hormone-associated.


• This case highlights the need to warrant investigation for cancer, among workup for other common conditions, for atypical thromboembolism in pregnancy.