Patients with cancer have an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). In addition, due to the growing use of computed tomography scans in these patients and the improved scanners and imaging qualities, many cases of VTE are diagnosed incidentally on images obtained for reasons other than suspicion of VTE. Studies have shown that as many as half of all cancer-related pulmonary embolism (PE) cases could be incidental. Despite the common occurrence, the optimal management of incidental PE in patients with cancer remains unclear. This review will summarize pertinent literature related to incidental PE in the cancer population and discuss their outcomes and recommended treatments.
Keywords: cancer; malignancy; pulmonary embolism; venous thromboembolism.