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Management of Cancer-associated Thrombosis (CAT): Symptomatic or Incidental

Anticancer Res. 2020 Jan;40(1):305-313. doi: 10.21873/anticanres.13954.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT), the second leading cause of death in patients with cancer can be treated with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) according to guidelines.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multicenter prospective observational study was carried out to record anti-thrombotic treatment practice, assess thrombosis recurrence and bleeding, and identify potential risk factors. Adult patients from 18 Oncology Departments throughout Greece were followed-up for 12 months.

RESULTS: A total of 120 patients with CAT receiving anticoagulant treatment were enrolled (35% incidental); 85% were treated for more than 6 months, 95.8% were treated with tinzaparin and smaller percentages with other agents. Thrombosis recurred in three patients and there was minor bleeding in four patients. Bleeding was associated with high body mass index (>35 kg/m2), trauma history, renal insufficiency and bevacizumab use.

CONCLUSION: Incidental thrombosis contributes significantly to CAT burden. Long-term use of LMWH seems to be effective and safe. Several risk factors associated with bleeding should be considered during anti-coagulation therapy planning.

PMID:31892581 | DOI:10.21873/anticanres.13954

CONCLUSION: Incidental thrombosis contributes significantly to CAT burden. Long-term use of LMWH seems to be effective and safe. Several risk factors associated with bleeding should be considered during anti-coagulation therapy planning.

Pavlos Papakotoulas, Nikolaos Tsoukalas, Athina Christopoulou, Alexandros Ardavanis, Georgios Koumakis, Christos Papandreou, Georgios Papatsimpas, Pavlos Papakostas, Georgios Samelis, Charalambos Andreadis, Gerasimos Aravantinos, Nikolaos Ziras, Charalambos Kalofonos, Epameinondas Samantas, Maria Souggleri, Paris Makrantonakis, Georgios Pentheroudakis, Athanasios Athanasiadis, Helen Stergiou, Sofia Tripodaki, Alexandros Bokas, Anastasios Grivas, Eleni Timotheadou, Evangelos Bournakis, Ioannis Varthalitis, Ioannis Boukovinas

2020-01-02

Anticancer research

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