Patrik Palacka, Ján Rajec
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) in oncology represents frequent and serious complication. Its incidence depends on risk factor occurrence and ranges between 4 and 20 %. VTE increases mortality; pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common cause of hospitalised cancer patient mortality. The review article is focused on the most important aspects of both, VTE prevention and treatment in oncology from clinical point of view (the prevention of VTE in oncologic surgery, in inpatients and outpatients, therapy of VTE). The 28-day preventive application of low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) after major abdominal surgery due to cancer is very important. In an outpatient setting, the high risk subgroup of patients that profits from pharmacological prophylaxis most is defined. On the other hand, each hospitalised patient should be considered for VTE prophylaxis with respect to contraindications. New oral anticoagulants might be promising in the future in the prevention and therapy of VTE.