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Semin Thromb Hemost 2002; 28(s3): 019-024
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-34071
Copyright © 2002 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Venous Thromboembolism in Cancer Patients: Expanding Horizons

David Bergqvist
  • Department of Surgery, Akademiska Sjukhuset, Uppsala University, 75185 Uppsala, Sweden
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Publication History

Publication Date:
16 September 2002 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) and particularly idiopathic VTE may be paraneoplastic phenomena. The merits of screening patients with idiopathic VTE for occult cancer are still under debate, and randomized studies are required to establish its potential cost-effectiveness. Cancer and its related surgery greatly increase the risk of VTE. Thromboprophylaxis using agents such as low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) has proved to be safe and effective in reducing the incidence of postoperative VTE. The ENOXACAN II study has shown that prolonging the standard 1-week regimen of the LMWH enoxaparin to 4 weeks may further reduce the incidence of postoperative VTE. Enoxaparin has also shown potential benefits in the secondary prevention of VTE and the reduction of bleeding complications. Emerging data indicate that LMWH may improve survival rates in cancer patients with VTE, making this a very important area for future research.

KEYWORDS

Venous thromboembolism - cancer - surgery - thromboprophylaxis - low-molecular-weight heparin

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