Cancer and venous thromboembolism: scope of the problem.

Cancer Control 5 pared with cancer patients who do not have a thrombotic event — experience reduced survival.5,6 The seriousness of VTE as a complication in cancer patients is becoming recognized as an important medical issue. That recognition is evidenced in the 2004 publication of The American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) Conference on Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy: Evidence-Based Guidelines.7,8 The guidelines reflect the growing body of literature with respect to the increased risk of VTE in cancer patients. With greater attention being given to VTE in the cancer setting, there arises a need for broader understanding of VTE pathophysiology, epidemiology, and diagnosis among cancer patients, topics that are the subjects of this review.