Peripheral arterial embolism (PAE) caused by malignant tumors is a rare manifestation of cancer. PAE may originate from several sites, including heart, aorta, and pulmonary veins. Such veins are a major source of thrombotic embolism or tumors with vascular erosion. Although uncommon, lung cancer should be regarded as a source of emboli in the extremities, especially when there is neoplastic invasion of the pulmonary veins. We report on a case of a male patient who underwent pneumonectomy for lung cancer who developed acute arterial occlusion of the lower extremities caused by saddle tumor embolus.
embolism; lung neoplasms; ischemia