Thrombosis and anticoagulation in palliative care: an evolving clinical challenge

There is a clear recognition of the relationship between thrombosis and neoplastic diseases. In recent years, there have been a few reports dealing with some of the features of clinical progression and management of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in palliative care patients. In this report, we present four cases that describe some of the diverse aspects of this clinically challenging area to illustrate the symptom and quality of life issues for patients, and the management challenge for palliative care clinicians. Perhaps the most important issue in the palliative care setting is the need to balance the inconvenience of the various diagnostic and therapeutic options, particularly in settings where progression has resulted in a deteriorated physical and cognitive condition. We need to recognize that VTE does cause significant problems for some of our patients. We will always need to balance issues of life expectancy, comfort and quality of life, and risk and benefits of anticoagulation, and align these problems with the individual patient, and the family dynamics and desires we encounter.