Abstract

Venous thromboembolism is a common cause of mortality and morbidity in cancer patients. Risk factors for venous throm-boembolism include immobilization, surgery, hormonal treatments, chemotherapy and vascular injury due to venous catheters. Furthermore, most of the cancer cells release procoagulant substances which activate coagulation system directly or indirectly. İn case of high risk situations for venous thromboembolism such as hospitalization, surgery prophylactic use of low molecular vveight heparin is effective and safety. Unlike the patients with multiple myeloma receiving thalidomide, prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism has not been accepted as a Standard for patients receiving chemotherapy. Favorable effects of anticoagulati-on on cancer mortality are stili under investigation.