Deep-vein thrombosis in malignancy: how long should patients be treated, and with what?

Abstract

Cancer patients are at high-risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, the optimal VTE prophylaxis and treatment options for this population are currently unclear. Surgical cancer patients have been shown to benefit from pharmacological VTE prophylaxis, with a number of trials suggesting that prophylaxis duration should extend beyond the traditional 7 day period. Medical (nonsurgical) cancer patients are also at high-risk of VTE, and evidence-based guidelines recommend pharmacological VTE prophylaxis in hospitalized cancer patients who are bedridden. In cancer patients with confirmed VTE, questions remain over the most effective long-term treatment regimen. Further trials are required to help physicians to make evidence-based choices for the management of VTE in these patients.