title: Anticoagulants and cancer survival.
abstract: The association between cancer and activation of blood coagulation has been described since Trousseau's time. The hypercoagulable state often encountered in cancer patients not only acts as an important risk factor for thrombosis, but also may play a role in tumor progression and metastasization. An antineoplastic effect of anticoagulants in this setting has often been hypothesized. The results of recently conducted clinical trials suggest that cancer patients could have a benefit from administration of low molecular weight heparin, particularly in those with nonadvanced disease. Additional clinical trials are needed to provide an important step forward in this challenging setting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Padova, Italy. andreapiccioli@libero.it
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piccioli
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Falanga
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Prandoni
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000187:drug effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight