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Trousseau's sign of malignancy
System: Blood & Lymph Signs · All blood & lymph signs
What it is — and how it is elicited
Repeated blood clots appearing in veins in different places, one after another (migratory thrombophlebitis), sometimes with clots in unusual sites.
What a positive finding suggests
Associated with an underlying internal cancer, classically of the pancreas, stomach or lung, driving a clotting tendency.
◈ Behind the name
Armand Trousseau (1801–1867), French physician, who recognised the sign in himself shortly before dying of pancreatic cancer.
Related signs — Blood & Lymph Signs
Browse the T section of the A–Z list or return to the Clinical Signs hub.
Please note: This page is an educational reference about clinical examination signs. A clinical sign supports — and never replaces — a full clinical evaluation, examination and appropriate testing. A sign being present does not by itself prove a diagnosis, and an absent sign does not rule one out. If you have symptoms that worry you, see a health professional.