Critical care
Thrombosis
Thromboembolism in people with cancer still remains a major health problem and is a leading cause of mortality after cancer itself.
What is Thrombosis?
Understanding Thrombosis
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) — which includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) — is the formation of a blood clot within the venous system that can partially or completely block blood flow.
VTE is among the top five most common vascular diseases in most countries, affecting approximately 1–2 per 1,000 people each year in Europe and the USA, with a lifetime risk of approximately 8%. Around 40–60% of all VTE events occur during or within three months of a hospitalization.
Thrombosis can be life-threatening: approximately one in five patients die within a year of a VTE diagnosis. Importantly, many cases of VTE are associated with identifiable triggers — such as surgery or hospitalization — and are therefore potentially preventable.
What is thrombosis?
CAT can affect anyone with cancer, but risk varies considerably by tumour type, disease stage and anticancer treatment. Risk of CAT is highest in the first months after a cancer diagnosis and in patients with advanced or metastatic disease.
DVT and PE: The Two Faces of Venous Thromboembolism
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs most commonly in the deep veins of the legs. Symptoms may include leg pain, swelling, redness and dilated superficial veins.
Pulmonary embolism (PE) happens when part of a blood clot breaks away and travels to the lungs. PE can present with breathlessness, chest pain, cough, dizziness, or — when severe — haemodynamic compromise and sudden death.
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms depend on where the clot forms and may overlap with cancer- or treatment-related symptoms, which can delay recognition:
DVT: swelling, pain, warmth or redness, usually in one leg
PE: sudden breathlessness, chest pain (often worse on breathing in), rapid heartbeat, sometimes collapse
Impact on daily life
CAT is the second leading cause of death in this population. For patients, a clot on top of cancer means a second serious diagnosis to manage, sometimes via an emergency admission. Living with CAT can mean daily injections or regular medication, anxiety about recurrence VTE, additional clinic visits and monitoring, the burden of bleeding risk, and potential disruption to the cancer treatment. These physical and psychological impacts can meaningfully reduce health-related quality of life at an already difficult time.
Treatment goals
CAT is a chronic, recurring challenge rather than a one-off complication. Compared with VTE in non-cancer patients, CAT carries a higher rate of recurrence VTE, a higher risk of bleeding on treatment, and a need for longer-term anticoagulation. As long as the cancer remains “active”, the prothrombotic state persists, so guidelines recommend continuing anticoagulation for at least 3-6 months.
Treatment goals are to prevent clot extension, recurrences and fatal PE while minimising bleeding. Anticoagulation options include mainly low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and vitamin K antagonists (VKA).
Our focus
We are committed to advancing understanding and care in areas where significant needs remain. Through research, awareness, and collaboration with the medical and patient communities, we aim to contribute to better outcomes and quality of life for people affected by serious conditions.
Important Notice
This information is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment options.