Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease associated with microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and chemotherapy of gastric adenocarcinoma.

A 68-year-old man was treated with FAM (5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin [Adriamycin], mitomycin-C) for metastic gastric adenocarcinoma. Twelve months later while in complete clinical remission, pulmonary hypertension and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia were recognized, progressed, and ended in his demise 6 months later. At necropsy, minimal residual cancer and severe pulmonary veno-occlusive disease was found. Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease may occur in association with microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and cancer chemotherapy.