[Do the prevention and treatment of deep venous thrombosis have specificity in the cancer patient?].

An increased incidence of deep vein thrombosis is reported in cancer patients as compared with general population. Several risk factors for deep vein thrombosis have been identified: venous stasis, direct invasion of venous wall by tumor, and hypercoagulability state by inadequate secretion of procoagulant activities. Reports have suggested that chemotherapeutic agents and hormonal treatment may contribute to this risk. Few papers are available concerning the prophylaxis and curative treatment of deep vein thrombosis in cancer patients and no consensus has been reached yet. This predisposition for deep vein thrombosis should be taken into consideration for perioperative prophylaxis. Efficacy and safety of heparin and antivitamin K in the curative treatment of deep vein thrombosis are discussed but can not be accurately evaluated because of diversity of clinical presentations and mechanism of activation of coagulation. Prospective studies are necessary.