Pulmonary embolism after R-COP chemotherapy in a patient with primary central nervous system non-hodgkin lymphoma

Pulmonary embolism is one of the most frequent causes of mortality in patients with cancer, including those with primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma. Higher stage, recent surgical history, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are the risk factors for pulmonary embolism in patients with cancer. Early diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, which is made based on signs and symptoms and confirmed using diagnostic modalities, is critical to achieve successful outcomes with anticoagulant therapy. Here we present the case of a 53-year-old female with primary CNS non-Hodgkin lymphoma who developed pulmonary embolism after the administration of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone chemotherapy regimen; the embolism was diagnosed using conventional chest computed tomography (CT). Conventional CT is a potential alternative modality for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. Anticoagulant treatment, albeit an appropriate approach for pulmonary embolism, increases the risk for bleeding, particularly intracerebral bleeding in patients with primary CNS lymphoma.