Axillary-subclavian vein thrombosis following combination chemotherapy and radiation therapy in lymphoma

Abstract

Four patients with deep venous thrombosis of the upper extremity (DVTUE) following combined modality therapy (mantle radiotherapy and chemotherapy) for either Hodgkin's disease or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were seen at Stanford University Medical Center between March 1980 and April 1984. A total of 235 patients had received similar combined modality therapy during this time period. Three patients presented with acute onset of DVTUE and were anticoagulated. One patient who was referred with a several month history of DVTUE was observed closely after diagnostic evaluation revealed no evidence of recurrent Hodgkin's disease. All patients remained without evidence of their original lymphoma and had developed adequate venous collateralization. These cases of DVTUE were felt to be treatment related, a previously unreported late complication of combined irradiation and chemotherapy. Methods of diagnosis and therapeutic options are discussed.