title: [Cancer and venous thromboembolism].
abstract: Cancer and venous thrombo-embolism is a frequent clinical association. Tumour cells activate the coagulation cascade. Surgery, chemotherapy and antiangiogenic agents are also associated with an increased risk of thrombosis. Current evidence does not suggest that a systematic screening for cancer after an unexplained thrombosis is associated with a clinical benefit. Risk factors for thrombosis specific to the cancer population have been identified. Recent studies suggest that prophylactic treatment may reduce the incidence of venous thrombo-embolism in patients with cancer. These results need to be confirmed. Treatment of venous thrombo-embolism in cancer patients is primarily based on low-molecular weight heparin administered for 3 or 6 months. Experimental data suggest that low-molecular weight heparin may also increase the survival of patients with cancer through a direct effect on tumour biology. Several clinical trials are underway to confirm this hypothesis.
authors.affiliation: Service de Pneumologie, Université Paris Descartes, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, 20, rue Leblanc 75015 Paris, France. guy.meyer@egp.aphp.fr
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Meyer
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D012307:Risk Factors; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight