This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Sousou, T. Articles by Khorana, A. A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Sousou, T. Articles by Khorana, A. A. Related Collections Venous Thromboembolism

(Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 2009;29:316.)
© 2009 American Heart Association, Inc.

Venous Thromboembolism: Mechanisms, Treatment, and Public Awareness

New Insights Into Cancer-Associated Thrombosis

Tarek Sousou; Alok A. Khorana

From the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center and the Department of Medicine (T.S., A.A.K.), University of Rochester, NY.

Correspondence to Alok A. Khorana, MD, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 704, Rochester, NY 14642. E-mail alok_khorana{at}URMC.rochester.edu

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is an increasingly frequent complication of anticancer therapy. The underlying mechanisms are not completely understood, but are related in part to oncogene activation and tissue factor (TF) expression. Several risk factors have been identified including site and stage of cancer, patient comorbidities, and specific therapeutic agents. Candidate biomarkers such as blood counts, TF, and P-selectin have recently been identified. A risk model predictive of chemotherapy-associated VTE has been validated. Thromboprophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), unfractionated heparin (UFH), or fondaparinux is recommended for hospitalized medical and surgical cancer patients. Long-term anticoagulation with LMWH is safe and effective in reducing recurrent VTE in cancer. The role of thromboprophylaxis in ambulatory cancer patients receiving chemotherapy is an area of active investigation.

Key Words: thrombosis • risk factors • cancer

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. S. Wolberg and N. Mackman Venous Thromboembolism: Risk Factors, Biomarkers, and Treatment Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, March 1, 2009; 29(3): 296 - 297. [Full Text] [PDF]