[Cancer and venous thromboembolism].

Cancer and venous thrombo-embolism is a frequent clinical association. Tumour cells activate the coagulation cascade. Surgery, chemotherapy and antiangiogenic agents are also associated with an increased risk of thrombosis. Current evidence does not suggest that a systematic screening for cancer after an unexplained thrombosis is associated with a clinical benefit. Risk factors for thrombosis specific to the cancer population have been identified. Recent studies suggest that prophylactic treatment may reduce the incidence of venous thrombo-embolism in patients with cancer. These results need to be confirmed. Treatment of venous thrombo-embolism in cancer patients is primarily based on low-molecular weight heparin administered for 3 or 6 months. Experimental data suggest that low-molecular weight heparin may also increase the survival of patients with cancer through a direct effect on tumour biology. Several clinical trials are underway to confirm this hypothesis.