Diffuse Cerebral Infarction Due to Massive Thromboembolism in A Young Male Patient With ALK-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Is the ALK Rearrangement Related to Thrombosis?

Abstract

The risk of thromboembolism is high in patients with lung adenocarcinoma, especially in patients with ALK rearrangement. The mechanism of thromboembolism due to ALK rearrangement is still unknown. Here, we present a case of diffuse cerebral infarction due to massive thromboembolism in a 25-year-old young male patient with lung adenocarcinoma and ALK rearrangement. Thrombosis, apart from metastasis, should be kept in mind when cranial symptoms develop in patients with lung cancer with ALK rearrangement. In addition, these patients should be followed closely in terms of thrombosis both at diagnosis and during treatment.