A 70-year-old man with pancreatic adenocarcinoma develops sudden onset migratory thrombophlebitis in multiple extremities. This paraneoplastic phenomenon is called:

• A Leser-Trélat sign
• B Acanthosis nigricans
• C Eaton-Lambert syndrome
• D Trousseau syndrome ✓

Explanation

Trousseau syndrome (migratory thrombophlebitis) is a well-recognized paraneoplastic manifestation of mucin-secreting adenocarcinomas, especially pancreatic carcinoma. Tumor-derived mucins activate platelets and clotting cascades independent of tissue factor, causing recurrent venous thrombosis at multiple sites that appear to migrate. Leser-Trélat sign refers to sudden appearance of multiple seborrheic keratoses with visceral malignancy; acanthosis nigricans is associated with insulin resistance and GI malignancy; and Eaton-Lambert syndrome is a neuromuscular junction disorder with lung cancer.

Reference: Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.