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Review
. 2016 Jan;41(1):81-91.
doi: 10.1007/s11239-015-1313-4.

Guidance for the prevention and treatment of cancer-associated venous thromboembolism

Alok A Khorana  1 , Marc Carrier  2 , David A Garcia  3 , Agnes Y Y Lee  4
Affiliations
Review

Guidance for the prevention and treatment of cancer-associated venous thromboembolism

Alok A Khorana et al. J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2016 Jan.

Abstract

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a highly prevalent complication of malignancy with emerging changes in incidence, diagnosis and treatment paradigms. This manuscript, initiated by the Anticoagulation Forum, provides clinical guidance based on existing guidelines and consensus expert opinion where guidelines are lacking. We address a) the appropriate workup to search for occult malignancy in patients with idiopathic VTE, b) identification of high-risk cancer patients for primary thromboprophylaxis, c) the appropriate immediate and long-term treatment for people with cancer diagnosed with acute thromboembolism, d) the appropriate duration of anticoagulation and e) the appropriate treatment strategy in patients with recurrent VTE on anticoagulation. Areas of controversy and future directions in this field are highlighted.

Keywords: Cancer; Direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC); New oral anticoagulants (NOAC); Prevention; Risk factors; Venous thromboembolism.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Forest plot of relative risks across clinical trials comparing (a) DOAC versus VKA and (b) LMWH alone versus VKA for recurrent cancer-associated VTE. The definition of active cancer and therefore of the study population varied across trials
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

References

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    1. Khorana AA, O’Connell C, Agnelli G, Liebman HA, Lee AY. Incidental venous thromboembolism in oncology patients. J Thromb Haemost. 2012;10(12):2602–2604. doi: 10.1111/jth.12023. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
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