title: Role of palliative low-molecular-weight heparin for treating venous thromboembolism in patients with advanced cancer.
abstract: Patients with cancer are at risk of developing venous thromboembolism ([VTE]; deep venous thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism). Although vitamin K antagonists had originally been used to treat VTE in these patients, low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH) have been shown to be more effective and safe for patients with cancer-associated thrombosis. In cancer patients with advanced disease where curative therapy is no longer the intent of treatment, continued anticoagulation for VTE for palliative purposes continues to remain a controversial topic as no large randomized trials have been conducted to guide clinicians in this setting. This review summarizes the data available for treating VTE in cancer patients receiving palliative services.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California at Davis, Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA. quy.tran@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu
authors.forename: Quy N H
authors.initials: QN
authors.lastname: Tran
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000628:therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight