ABSTRACT
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is common in patients with cancer and increases morbidity and mortality. VTE prevention and treatment are more complex in patients with cancer. The NCCN Guidelines for Cancer-Associated Venous Thromboembolic Disease outline strategies for treatment and prevention of VTE in adult patients diagnosed with cancer or in whom cancer is clinically suspected. These NCCN Guidelines Insights explain recent changes in anticoagulants recommended for the treatment of cancer-associated VTE.
Subject(s)
Anticoagulants/administration & dosage , Hemorrhage/prevention & control , Medical Oncology/standards , Neoplasms/complications , Venous Thromboembolism/drug therapy , Anticoagulants/adverse effects , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Drug Administration Schedule , Drug Therapy, Combination/methods , Drug Therapy, Combination/standards , Hemorrhage/chemically induced , Hemorrhage/mortality , Humans , Medical Oncology/methods , Medication Adherence , Neoplasms/mortality , Patient Selection , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic , Societies, Medical/standards , Survival Analysis , Time Factors , Treatment Outcome , United States , Venous Thromboembolism/diagnosis , Venous Thromboembolism/etiology , Venous Thromboembolism/mortalityABSTRACT
The NCCN Guidelines for Cancer-Associated Venous Thromboembolic Disease outline strategies for treatment and prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in adult patients with a diagnosis of cancer or for whom cancer is clinically suspected. VTE is a common complication in patients with cancer, which places them at greater risk for morbidity and mortality. Therefore, risk-appropriate prophylaxis is an essential component for the optimal care of inpatients and outpatients with cancer. Critical to meeting this goal is ensuring that patients get the most effective medication in the correct dose. Body weight has a significant impact on blood volume and drug clearance. Because obesity is a common health problem in industrialized societies, cancer care providers are increasingly likely to treat obese patients in their practice. Obesity is a risk factor common to VTE and many cancers, and may also impact the anticoagulant dose needed for safe and effective prophylaxis. These NCCN Guidelines Insights summarize the data supporting new dosing recommendations for VTE prophylaxis in obese patients with cancer.
Subject(s)
Anticoagulants/administration & dosage , Neoplasms/complications , Obesity/complications , Venous Thromboembolism/drug therapy , Venous Thromboembolism/prevention & control , Adult , Body Mass Index , Body Weight , Dalteparin/administration & dosage , Enoxaparin/administration & dosage , Fondaparinux , Heparin/administration & dosage , Humans , Polysaccharides/administration & dosage , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/complications , Venous Thromboembolism/etiologyABSTRACT
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains a common and life-threatening complication among patients with cancer. Thromboprophylaxis can be used to prevent the occurrence of VTE in patients with cancer who are considered at high risk for developing this complication. Therefore, it is critical to recognize the various risk factors for VTE in patients with cancer. Risk assessment tools are available to help identify patients for whom discussions regarding the potential benefits and risks of thromboprophylaxis would be appropriate. The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for VTE provide recommendations on risk evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of VTE in patients with cancer.
