Via practica 4/2010

Prophylaxis of the venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer

The risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and its recurrence are higher in patients with cancer than in other patients. Pathophysiology, risk factors, diagnosis, VTE prevention and treatment in oncological patients are discussed in the review. ASCO (American Society of Clinical Oncology) recommendations published in 2007 are compared with those of ACCP (American College of Chest Physicians) from 2008. The authors also discussed the advantages of low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) in both VTE prevention and treatment, as well as LMWH effects on overall survival of cancer patients. Mainly the fact that VTE might be the first sign of until unknown oncological disease is emphasized; it is always important to keep this knowledge in the mind and every patient should undergo the cancer screening.

Keywords: venous thromboembolism, low molecular weight heparins, guidelines, thromboprophylaxis, malignancy