Venous thromboembolism (VTE) represents a major health problem, especially in cancer patients, who experience a significantly higher incidence of both deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism compared to the general population. Indeed, patients with cancer have a prothrombotic state resulting in both increased expression of procoagulants and suppression of fibrinolytic activity. In addition, VTE increases the morbidity and mortality of these patients. For all these reasons, the prevention and treatment of VTE in cancer setting represent major challenges in daily practice. In general, low‑molecular‑weight heparin monotherapy is the standard of care for the management of cancer‑associated VTE, as Vitamin K antagonists are less effective in this setting. Direct oral anticoagulants offer a potentially promising treatment option for cancer patients with VTE, since recent studies demonstrated their efficacy and safety also in this peculiar setting.

Thrombotic Risk in Cancer Patients: Diagnosis and Management of Venous Thromboembolism

Ines Paola Monte
Ultimo
Writing – Review & Editing
2020-01-01

Abstract

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) represents a major health problem, especially in cancer patients, who experience a significantly higher incidence of both deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism compared to the general population. Indeed, patients with cancer have a prothrombotic state resulting in both increased expression of procoagulants and suppression of fibrinolytic activity. In addition, VTE increases the morbidity and mortality of these patients. For all these reasons, the prevention and treatment of VTE in cancer setting represent major challenges in daily practice. In general, low‑molecular‑weight heparin monotherapy is the standard of care for the management of cancer‑associated VTE, as Vitamin K antagonists are less effective in this setting. Direct oral anticoagulants offer a potentially promising treatment option for cancer patients with VTE, since recent studies demonstrated their efficacy and safety also in this peculiar setting.
2020
Cancer, direct oral anticoagulants, imaging, prevention, venous thromboembolism
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11769/373685
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