Risk of venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing cancer surgery and options for thromboprophylaxis

J Surg Oncol. 2007 Feb 1;95(2):167-74. doi: 10.1002/jso.20625.

Abstract

Patients with cancer have an increased risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE) due to a hypercoagulable state associated with malignancy. This risk is further complicated in patients undergoing cancer-related surgery due to immobility, other cancer treatments, and biologic changes associated with surgery. Despite this relatively high risk of VTE, many patients are not prescribed adequate prophylaxis in the pre- or post-operative periods. This article reviews available measures for thromboprophylaxis in light of current guidelines.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anticoagulants / administration & dosage
  • Blood Loss, Surgical / statistics & numerical data
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Catheterization, Central Venous
  • Catheters, Indwelling
  • Evidence-Based Medicine*
  • Female
  • Heparin / administration & dosage
  • Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Postoperative Complications / prevention & control*
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Pulmonary Embolism / prevention & control
  • Risk Factors
  • Thromboembolism / prevention & control*
  • Thrombophilia / complications
  • Venous Thrombosis / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight
  • Heparin