A case of colorectal cancer complicated by pulmonary embolism and potential Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a patient with severe cystic fibrosis highlights diagnostic challenges of breathlessness.
Case Report (n=1)
Highlights the diagnostic challenges of breathlessness due to pulmonary embolism and potential Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in patients with severe cystic fibrosis lung disease.
People with cystic fibrosis have an elevated risk of gastrointestinal malignancy. The prevalence of colorectal cancer is increasing with improving life expectancy in the CFTR modulator era. We report a case of colorectal cancer in a patient with severe cystic fibrosis lung disease, which was complicated by pulmonary embolism and potential Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges associated with breathlessness in the setting of severe background lung disease, stresses the importance of bowel cancer screening in people with cystic fibrosis, and emphasises the growing scope of the cystic fibrosis physician as life expectancy for the condition improves.
Frederiksen et al. (2026) conducted a case report in Cystic fibrosis, colorectal cancer, pulmonary embolism, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (n=1). A case of colorectal cancer complicated by pulmonary embolism and potential Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a patient with severe cystic fibrosis highlights diagnostic challenges of breathlessness.