Pulmonary embolism (PE) is increasingly recognized as causing significant morbidity and mortality in modern societies; however, little is known about PE in patients with lung cancer.

We systematically reviewed Medline, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library databases and selected 26 studies, including 2 randomized controlled trials, and 4 prospective, 18 retrospective cohort, and 2 case-control studies. Overall incidence of PE was 3.6%. Pulmonary embolism abbreviated survival in 2 studies when the diagnosis was synchronous with lung cancer.

Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis, treatment, and surveillance are inconsistently reported. Clinical outcome data pertaining to this topic are limited and of overall poor methodologic quality.