Incidental venous thromboembolic events in cancer patients: what we know in 2016

Abstract

Cancer patients are at high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Previous reports on the epidemiology and incident of thrombotic complications in cancer patients are based upon documented symptomatic events. However, the frequent use of contrast enhanced computerized tomography for cancer staging has documented a high incidence of unsuspected venous thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE) and abdominal visceral thrombosis in cancer patients. Recent studies focusing on the findings of incidental PE when compared to symptomatic PE find no significant difference in pulmonary distribution of clots, incidence of VTE recurrence or survival in these patients. Based upon these studies, current guidelines recommend treatment for incidental PE as recommended for symptomatic PE.