Clinical and epidemiological characterization of patients with deep vein thrombosis and cancer

Abstract

Introduction: Venous thromboembolic disease is a disorder in which a thrombus forms inside the veins, which blocks blood flow and produces different symptoms depending on its location.

Objectives: To define the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with deep vein thrombosis and cancer.

Methods: A descriptive and retrospective study of patients admitted in the Phlebolymphology Service of the National Institute of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, with the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis and cancer, was conducted during the period between January and December 2018. The following variables were studied: age groups, sex, diagnosis upon admission, risk factors, types of cancer and location of thrombosis according to Eco-Doppler.

Results: The predominant age group was 60-69 years (30.8 %) and the female sex prevailed (61.5 %). The location of cancer in the breasts and prostate stood out with three cases each (23.1%). The predominant risk factor was age (38.4%), followed by the presence of metastases (23.1%). As the predominant sector, according to Eco-Doppler, it was found the femoro-popliteal (58.8%).

Conclusions: Deep vein thrombosis greatly affects cancer patients. The most affected are between 60 and 69 years old. The predominant risk factors were age and the presence of metastases; and the most frequent location, the lower limbs, specifically, at the level of the femoro-popliteal sector.