P0170 Frequency, and effect on survival, of venous thrombosis in cancer patients: A single-centre experience

Abstract

Background Venous thromboembolism (VTE) represents one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. We investigated the natural history of VTE in the oncology centre in a tertiary care hospital. Methods We did a retrospective study of cancer patients who presented to King Abdullah Medical City, a tertiary care hospital, from May 2011 to June 2013. The follow-up period was calculated from time of VTE diagnosis to the last clinical visit or to patient death. Findings Of 1678 cancer patients, 132 (7.87%) were diagnosed with VTE. Median patient age was 53.5 years, with a female-to-male ratio of 1.3/1. Thirty-one patients (23.5%) were diagnosed with VTE and cancer simultaneously, 74 patients (56.1%) were on chemotherapy and 28 (21.2%) were receiving best supportive care. VTE was symptomatic in 110 patients (83.3%) and asymptomatic in 22 (16.7%). Lower limbs were the most common site of VTE (42.4%), with the highest incidence in patients with advanced stage disease (93%). Forty-nine patients (37%) were receiving low-molecular-weight heparin as prophylaxis. Median survival for patients with VTE prophylaxis compared with those without prophylaxis was 12.6 months versus 6.3 months ( p = 0.102) and for those who were asymptomatic compared with those who were symptomatic was 9.8 months versus 12.4 months ( p = 0.885). Interpretation Thromboprophylaxis is underused in our region. Large prospective studies are needed to clarify the effect of VTE symptoms and presentation on patient’s survival.