American Society of Clinical Oncology Guideline: Recommendations for Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis and Treatment in Patients With Cancer

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (34) ◽  
pp. 5490-5505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary H. Lyman ◽  
Alok A. Khorana ◽  
Anna Falanga ◽  
Daniel Clarke-Pearson ◽  
Christopher Flowers ◽  
...  

Purpose To develop guideline recommendations for the use of anticoagulation in the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with cancer. Methods A comprehensive systematic review of the medical literature on the prevention and treatment of VTE in cancer patients was conducted and reviewed by a panel of content and methodology experts. Following discussion of the results, the panel drafted recommendations for the use of anticoagulation in patients with malignant disease. Results The results of randomized controlled trials of primary and secondary VTE medical prophylaxis, surgical prophylaxis, VTE treatment, and the impact of anticoagulation on survival of patients with cancer were reviewed. Recommendations were developed on the prevention of VTE in hospitalized, ambulatory, and surgical cancer patients as well as patients with established VTE, and for use of anticoagulants in cancer patients without VTE to improve survival. Conclusion Recommendations of the American Society of Clinical Oncology VTE Guideline Panel include (1) all hospitalized cancer patients should be considered for VTE prophylaxis with anticoagulants in the absence of bleeding or other contraindications; (2) routine prophylaxis of ambulatory cancer patients with anticoagulation is not recommended, with the exception of patients receiving thalidomide or lenalidomide; (3) patients undergoing major surgery for malignant disease should be considered for pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis; (4) low molecular weight heparin represents the preferred agent for both the initial and continuing treatment of cancer patients with established VTE; and (5) the impact of anticoagulants on cancer patient survival requires additional study and cannot be recommended at present.

2011 ◽  
pp. 191-204
Author(s):  
Alpesh N. Amin ◽  
Steven B. Deitelzweig

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), a common complication in patients with cancer, is associated with increased risk of morbidity, mortality, and recurrent VTE. Risk factors for VTE in cancer patients include the type and stage of cancer, comorbidities, age, major surgery, and active chemotherapy. Evidence-based guidelines for thromboprophylaxis in cancer patients have been published: the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and American Society for Clinical Oncology guidelines recommend thromboprophylaxis for hospitalized cancer patients, while the American College of Chest Physician guidelines recommend thromboprophylaxis for surgical patients with cancer and bedridden cancer patients with an acute medical illness. Guidelines do not generally recommend routine thromboprophylaxis in ambulatory patients during chemotherapy, but there is evidence that some of these patients are at risk of VTE; some may be at higher risk while on active chemotherapy. Approaches are needed to identify those patients most likely to benefit from thromboprophylaxis, and, to this end, a risk assessment model has been developed and validated. Despite the benefits, many at-risk patients do not receive any thromboprophylaxis, or receive prophylaxis that is not compliant with guideline recommendations. Quality improvement initiatives have been developed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, National Quality Forum, and Joint Commission to encourage closure of the gap between guideline recommendations and clinical practice for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of VTE in hospitalized patients. Health-care institutions and providers need to take seriously the burden of VTE, improve prophylaxis rates in patients with cancer, and address the need for prophylaxis across the patient continuum.


2011 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 191
Author(s):  
Alpesh N. Amin ◽  
Steven B. Deitelzweig

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), a common complication in patients with cancer, is associated with increased risk of morbidity, mortality, and recurrent VTE. Risk factors for VTE in cancer patients include the type and stage of cancer, comorbidities, age, major surgery, and active chemotherapy. Evidence-based guidelines for thromboprophylaxis in cancer patients have been published: the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and American Society for Clinical Oncology guidelines recommend thromboprophylaxis for hospitalized cancer patients, while the American College of Chest Physician guidelines recommend thromboprophylaxis for surgical patients with cancer and bedridden cancer patients with an acute medical illness. Guidelines do not generally recommend routine thromboprophylaxis in ambulatory patients during chemotherapy, but there is evidence that some of these patients are at risk of VTE; some may be at higher risk while on active chemotherapy. Approaches are needed to identify those patients most likely to benefit from thromboprophylaxis, and, to this end, a risk assessment model has been developed and validated. Despite the benefits, many at-risk patients do not receive any thromboprophylaxis, or receive prophylaxis that is not compliant with guideline recommendations. Quality improvement initiatives have been developed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, National Quality Forum, and Joint Commission to encourage closure of the gap between guideline recommendations and clinical practice for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of VTE in hospitalized patients. Health-care institutions and providers need to take seriously the burden of VTE, improve prophylaxis rates in patients with cancer, and address the need for prophylaxis across the patient continuum.


Author(s):  
Gary H. Lyman ◽  
Alok A. Khorana ◽  
Anna Falanga

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recently updated clinical practice guidelines on the treatment and prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with cancer. Although several new studies have been reported, many questions remain about the close relationship between VTE and malignant disease. The risk of VTE among patients with cancer continues to increase and is clearly linked to patient-, disease- and treatment-specific factors. In general, VTE among patients with cancer is treated in a similar fashion to that in other patient populations. However, the greater risk of VTE in patients with cancer, the multitude of risk factors, and the greater risk of VTE recurrence and mortality among patients with cancer pose important challenges for surgeons, oncologists, and other providers.


2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 654-656 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary H. Lyman ◽  
Kari Bohlke ◽  
Alok A. Khorana ◽  
Nicole M. Kuderer ◽  
Agnes Y. Lee ◽  
...  

Purpose To provide current recommendations about the prophylaxis and treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with cancer. Methods PubMed and the Cochrane Library were searched for randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical practice guidelines from November 2012 through July 2014. An update committee reviewed the identified abstracts. Results Of the 53 publications identified and reviewed, none prompted a change in the 2013 recommendations. Recommendations Most hospitalized patients with active cancer require thromboprophylaxis throughout hospitalization. Routine thromboprophylaxis is not recommended for patients with cancer in the outpatient setting. It may be considered for selected high-risk patients. Patients with multiple myeloma receiving antiangiogenesis agents with chemotherapy and/or dexamethasone should receive prophylaxis with either low–molecular weight heparin (LMWH) or low-dose aspirin. Patients undergoing major surgery should receive prophylaxis starting before surgery and continuing for at least 7 to 10 days. Extending prophylaxis up to 4 weeks should be considered in those undergoing major abdominal or pelvic surgery with high-risk features. LMWH is recommended for the initial 5 to 10 days of treatment for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism as well as for long-term secondary prophylaxis (at least 6 months). Use of novel oral anticoagulants is not currently recommended for patients with malignancy and VTE because of limited data in patients with cancer. Anticoagulation should not be used to extend survival of patients with cancer in the absence of other indications. Patients with cancer should be periodically assessed for VTE risk. Oncology professionals should educate patients about the signs and symptoms of VTE.


Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 5954-5954
Author(s):  
Dominique Farge

Abstract Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major therapeutic concern in cancer patients and the leading cause of death after metastasis. Providing anticoagulant therapy to this patient population is challenging because cancer patients are at increased risk of VTE recurrence and bleeding, and treatment management is often complicated by other co-morbidities that affect choice of anticoagulation. The International Initiative on Thrombosis and Cancer (ITAC-CME) is a multidisciplinary group of International academic clinicians, researchers, and experts dedicated to reducing the global burden of VTE and its consequences in cancer patients. In 2013, the group published international clinical practice guidelines for the treatment and prophylaxis of VTE in cancer (1, 2). In collaboration with CME solutions, an accredited CME provider, ITAC-CME developed a mobile web-based application to promote the international implementation of the 2013 guidelines, in English and French (www.itacc-cme.org). Usage of the app has steadily increased every year since its release. ITAC-CME recently revised its consensus recommendations according to a systematic review of the literature up to January 2016. In particular, the ISTH-endorsed updated recommendations provide a guidance on the use of the direct oral anticoagulants based on the current level of evidence (3). ITAC-CME and CME solutions have updated the web-based application to support the 2016 guidelines. The app also includes several new features, including interactive case-based CME learning activities, with pre- and post-activity practice assessments. These pre- and post-test metrics will be documented to record international clinical practice patterns, and monitor the impact of the app on the adoption of the 2016 guidelines into clinical practice worldwide. Translation of the 2016 updated app into additional languages is planned. The application has been submitted for accreditation with the royal College of Physicians and surgeons of Canada, the American Medical Association, the European Union of Medical Specialists, l' Organisme Gestionnaire du Développement Professionnel Continu, and the European Board for Accreditation in Hematology. 1 Debourdeau P, Farge D, Beckers M, Baglin C, Bauersachs RM, Brenner B, Brilhante D, Falanga A, Gerotzafias GT, Haim N, Kakkar AK, Khorana AA, Lecumberri R, Mandala M, Marty M, Monreal M, Mousa SA, Noble S, Pabinger I, Prandoni P, Prins MH, Qari MH, Streiff MB, Syrigos K, Büller HR, Bounameaux H. International clinical practice guidelines for the treatment and prophylaxis of thrombosis associated with central venous catheters in patients with cancer. J Thromb Haemost. 2013 Jan;11(1):71-80. 2 Farge D, Debourdeau P, Beckers M, Baglin C, Bauersachs RM, Brenner B, Brilhante D, Falanga A, Gerotzafias GT, Haim N, Kakkar AK, Khorana AA, Lecumberri R, Mandala M, Marty M, Monreal M, Mousa SA, Noble S, Pabinger I, Prandoni P, Prins MH, Qari MH, Streiff MB, Syrigos K, Bounameaux H, Büller HR. International clinical practice guidelines for the treatment and prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer.J Thromb Haemost. 2013 Jan;11(1):56-70 3 Farge D, Bounameaux H , Brenner B, Cajfinger F, Debourdeau P, Khorana AA, Pabinger I, Solymoss S, Douketis J, Kakkar A. 2016 International Clinical Practice Guidelines Including Guidance for the Direct Oral Anticoagulants in the Treatment and Prophylaxis of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients With Cancer. Lancet Onccology 2016 (in press) Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Phlebologie ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 44 (06) ◽  
pp. 320-323
Author(s):  
U. Schwindel ◽  
M. Müller ◽  
H. J. Hutt ◽  
A. Matzdorff

SummaryObjectives: To determine the attitude of physicians towards the ASCO evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis and treatment in patients with cancer.Methods: The ASCO guideline was published in Jan. 2015. Two specialists in in the field assembled a list of arguments for and against each of the ASCO recommendations. ASCO recommendations and pro & con arguments were presented to physicians attending 3 educational seminars on hemostasis in cancer patients. After the presentation each attendee was asked to fill out a questionnaire on how much he agreed with the recommendations and the pro & con arguments.Results: A total of 89 physicians attended the three meetings. 56 questionnaires were returned. The ASCO recommendation with the highest degree of support was that patients undergoing major cancer surgery should receive prophylaxis for 7–10 days and for four weeks after major abdominal or pelvic surgery with high-risk features (84 % Pro). The recommendation with the lowest degree of support was that anticoagulation should not be used to extend survival of patients with cancer in the absence of other indications (56 % Pro = indifference). Arguments based on A) the scientific evidence underlying each recommendation, B) on clinical practicability and patients’ preferences/adherence, C) on the desire to avoid toxicity, malpractice litigation, and cost concerns, ranked equally.Conclusion: The degree of support for ASCO guideline recommendations on prophylaxis and treatment of VTE in cancer is variable. For some key recommendations it is close to indifference. Scientific evidence for a recommendation is just one decision factor among others. Our study underscores the need to further promote educational activities on VTE prophylaxis and treatment in cancer patients particularly among all physicians caring for cancer patients.


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