PREVENTION OF VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM IN CANCER USING LOW-MOLECULAR-WEIGHT HEPARINS

Patients with cancer are at increased risk for venous and arterial thr omboembolism and the principal interventions in such patients - surgic al operation, chemotherapy or venous catheterization - heighten this r isk. Thromboprophylaxis is indicated in cancer patients undergoing sur gical operation and there is also evidence that thrombopropylaxis appe ars beneficial during chemotherapy, particularly for breast cancer, an d possibly for ovarian and pancreatic carcinoma. Low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) have shown promise as a thromboprophylactic agent in oncology patients, and offer significant benefits over standard hepari n because of their improved safety profile and ease of use. There is e merging evidence that LMWHs may also favourably influence survival, po ssibly as a result of direct anti-tumour effects.