Selda GÜNAYDIN, Hayriye BEKTAŞ AKSOY
Anatolian Current Medical Journal - 2026;8(4):625-630
Aims: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life-threatening disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in presence of malignancy. This study aimed to compare laboratory parameters with short-term and long-term mortality outcomes between malignant and non-malignant PE patients. Methods: In this retrospective study, 131 patients diagnosed with acute PE by computed tomography pulmonary angiography were included. Participants were divided into malignant (n=47) and non-malignant (n=84) groups. Demographic characteristics, laboratory parameters, and clinical findings were analyzed. The primary outcomes were 30-day and 365-day mortality, while secondary outcomes included 90-day and 180-day mortality. Results: Patients in the malignant group were younger and more frequently male (p<0.05). High-risk PE and right ventricular dysfunction were more common in the non-malignant group. White blood cell count, neutrophil count, and proBNP levels were significantly higher in non-malignant patients, whereas RDW levels were higher in the malignant group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in 30-day mortality between groups (15.7% vs. 14.6%, p=0.869). Although 90-, 180-, and 365-day mortality rates were consistently higher in the malignant group, these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: While short-term mortality is similar between malignant and non-malignant PE patients, malignancy may be associated with an increased long-term mortality. Differences in laboratory and clinical features suggest that cancer-associated PE may represent a distinct clinical entity. These findings could contribute to more accurate risk stratification and the development of individualized treatment strategies.
