Does clinical method mask significant VTE-related mortality and morbidity in malignant disease?
After more than 150 years of a recognised link between cancer and vascular thromboembolic events (VTE), and despite a greatly improved understanding of its pathophysiology, epidemiology and treatment, the management of patients with cancer and VTE is still limited. Limitations can be related to the thromboembolism itself, the underlying cancer, or to the management process. There is significant literature that deals with the first two, but very little regarding the systems we use, or how the inadequacies in documentation, identification and classification of VTE affect the cancer patients themselves. This review aims to raise awareness of this neglected area and stimulate research that may lead to improvements in patient care.
Maraveyas
A
A
Queen's Centre for Oncology and Hematology, Hull and York Medical School, Department of Academic Oncology, Castle Hill Hospital, Castle Road, Hull HU16 5JQ, UK. A.Maraveyas@hull.ac.uk
Johnson
M
M
D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality*; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000401:mortality*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000401:mortality*