ABSTRACT
The risk of venous thromboembolic events (VTE) in cancer patients is higher than in the general population. Treatment may also increase this risk in these patients. Based on the appropriate criteria (of which the most important are the current ministerial guidelines) thrombosis prophylaxis should be started (given that there is no contraindication) on these patients and be continued while they are at risk. In the event of permanent risk thrombosis prophylaxis should be given lifelong. The drug of choice is low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) which is safer and more effective than the oral vitamin K antagonists. Platelet aggregation inhibitors have proved unsuccessful in this patient group. The evidence so far suggests that LMWH (during VTE prophylaxis) can have a positive impact on the course of cancer and perhaps it will be registered under the indication section for cancer patients in the future.
