Successfully treated massive pulmonary thromboembolism and thrombus in the right atrium due to diffuse malignant lymphoma: a case report.

Cancer is a well-recognized risk factor for venous thromboembolism which may lead to a lifethreatening pulmonary thromboembolism. We treated a patient with acute massive pulmonary thromboembolism related to malignant lymphoma. A huge thrombus from the superior vena cava had passed through the pulmonary arteries, which devastated his hemodynamic state. We evaluated his state quickly and successfully performed surgical removal of the thrombi, followed by appropriate chemotherapy for the malignant lymphoma. After the surgery, a huge thrombus appeared in the left femoral vein to the inferior vena cava because of venous obstruction compressed by the lymphoma mass although we had continued adequate anticoagulation therapy. A venacaval filter was placed in the inferior vena cava.