Onkológia 6/2010

Some Aspects of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients with Solid Tumours

The incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in cancer patients is higher than in common population; overall survival is shortened and mortality is increased due to VTE. Metastatic disease is the strongest VTE predictive factor in oncology. In the review, some problems are discussed as follow: epidemiology data and VTE risk factors, VTE prevention after major abdominal surgery due to cancer with the stress on 28-day LMWH (low molecular weight heparins) usage, the mechanisms of VTE increasing by some drugs (bevacizumab, tamoxifen), LMWH effects on the overall survival of cancer patients, and the Protecht study, in which the significant reduction in VTE events in ambulatory patients with metastatic or locally advanced solid cancer receiving chemotherapy was showed. In conclusion, authors introduce some unanswered questions connected with VTE.

Keywords: Venous Thromboembolism, Low Molecular Weight Heparins, Risk Factors, Protecht Study, Overall Survival.