[Lymphangiosis carcinomatosa of the lung and cardiopulmonary shock as initial findings in gastric cancer (author's transl)].

A case is reported of a 34 year old woman, who was hospitalized because of cardiopulmonary shock of sudden unsuspected onset. X-ray examination revealed diffuse interstitial pulmonary infiltration. Intra-aortal counter-pulsation did improve the condition only for short time. On autopsy an adenocarcinoma of the stomach was found, as well as diffuse carcinomatous infiltration of pulmonary lymph and arterial vessels. Thus lymphangiosis carcinomatosa has to be taken into consideration in discussing the differential diagnosis of diffuse interstitial pulmonary infiltration in young patients. The presence of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia may help to establish the diagnosis.