Thrombosis and cancer

Abstract

Venous thromboembolic disease is a serious complication in patients with cancer. Although its incidence is not well known, the association between thromboembolic disease and cancer is frequent and is in itself an emergency. Facing clinical manifestations compatible with thromboembolic disease, it is imperative to elaborate a complete clinical history in order to know which is the tumour the patient is suffering from and if there are associated risk factors (if he is the bearer of a central venous catheter, if he is receiving treatment with chemotherapy, if his cancer has undergone a surgical intervention). Subsequently, if we hold a high suspicion of venous thromboembolic disease, treatment should be started without waiting for an immediate diagnostic confirmation. Treatment in the oncology patient is similar to that in the non-oncology patient, but greater attention should be paid to the complications deriving from the treatment, such as haemorrhaging, since this can worsen the prognosis of the patient. Due to that, efforts should be directed towards a good antithrombotic prophylaxis.