Idiopathic venous thromboembolism as a first manifestation of cancer.
Since Trousseau's time it has been documented the strong two-way relationship between cancer and venous thromboembolism (VTE). Moreover it has been clearly demonstrated that patients with a first episode of idiopathic VTE exhibit a higher risk of newly discovered cancer during follow-up when compared to those suffering from secondary VTE. The performance of a selected diagnostic work-up for cancer detection at the time of referral for index VTE in these patients appears to be capable to identify most of these malignancies and the earlier detection is likely to be associated with improved treatment possibilities and thus prognosis.
Piccioli
A
A
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Padua, Italy. andreapiccioli@libero.it
Prandoni
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P
D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000175:diagnosis*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis*