Upper Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis Secondary to Gastric Cancer: A Case Report

Upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (UEDVT) is uncommon and is frequently secondary to malignancy, central venous catheterization, or hypercoagulable states. Cancer‑associated thrombosis represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with malignancy. A 75‑year‑old Japanese woman presented with swelling of the left upper extremity accompanied by epigastric discomfort. Contrast‑enhanced computed tomography revealed thrombosis in the left subclavian vein and multiple metastatic lesions, including hepatic hilar lymph node and spinal metastases. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy demonstrated irregular mucosa with erosions from the gastric angle to the antrum, and pathological examination confirmed poorly to moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma with signet‑ring cell features. The patient was diagnosed with UEDVT secondary to gastric cancer. Anticoagulation therapy with unfractionated heparin improved swelling and pain, and the patient was transitioned to oral apixaban. Chemotherapy was subsequently initiated; however, the patient died nine months after diagnosis due to disease progression. This case highlights the importance of investigating occult malignancy in patients presenting with unexplained venous thromboembolism and initiating prompt anticoagulation therapy.

Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.

Peer-reviewed clinical and outcomes research relevant to medicinal leech therapy and its biology. Indexed in PubMed and verified against the NCBI record.

Leech-derived molecules this paper discusses, each with a full profile in the ASH compound registry:

Explore cómo esta investigación se conecta con la práctica clínica

More peer-reviewed studies in Ensayos clínicos.

• Leech Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis — The Landmark RCT — Michalsen et al. (2003)
• Leech-Assisted Flap Salvage — Systematic Review of 277 Cases — Whitaker et al. (2012)
• Effects of hirudotherapy on liver functions, lipid profile, and insulin sensitivity in rats with metabolic syndrome — Bilden A et al. (2026)
• HIRUDOTHERAPY IN PRESBYACUZIS PRAECOX IN CLEAN-UP WORKERS AFTER THE CHORNOBYL ACCIDENT DURING THE POST-CATASTROPHE YEARS — Zabolotnyi D, Mishchanchuk N (2019)
• Wound healing potential of bark paste of Pongamia pinnata along with hirudotherapy: A case report — Balasooriya D, Karunarathna C, Uluwaduge I (2021)
• AIF-1 and RNASET2 Play Complementary Roles in the Innate Immune Response of Medicinal Leech — Baranzini N et al. (2019)
• Study on the effect of medicinal leech therapy (Hirudo medicinalis) on full-thickness excisional wound healing in the animal model — Zakian A et al. (2022)
• [Hirudo medicinalis-leech applications in plastic and reconstructive microsurgery--a literature review] — Knobloch K et al. (2007)
• The duration of rest and feeding greatly affects the re-breeding of ectoparasites: Hirudo verbana, Hirudo medicinalis and Hirudo orientalis — Aminov R, Frolov A, Aminova A (2022)
• Recombinant hirudin in clinical practice: focus on lepirudin — Greinacher A, Lubenow N (2001)

Browse all ASH-analysed research →