CANCER AND THROMBOSIS

Cancer patients are at increased risk for venous thromboembolism and conversely patients with venous thromboembolism are at increased risk for occult cancer. The pathogenesis of trombosis in malignancy is multifactorial, and mechanisms include release of procoagulants by tumor cells, comorbid predisposing factors (infection, surgery, bed rest etc.), and cancer therapy itself. Initial treatment of acute thromboembolism is with intravenous unfractionated heparin or subcutaneus low molecular weight heparin followed by oral anticoagulant or low molecular weight heparin therapy.

Keywords: cancer, thrombosis