The association of active cancer with venous thromboembolism location: a population-based study

To test active cancer for an association with venous thromboembolism (VTE) location.

Using the resources of the Rochester Epidemiology Project, we identified all Olmsted County, MN, residents with incident VTE during the 35-year period 1966-2000 (N = 3385). We restricted analyses to residents with objectively diagnosed VTE during the 17-year period from January 1, 1984, to December 31, 2000 (N = 1599). For each patient, we reviewed the complete medical records in the community for patient age, gender, and most recent body mass index at VTE onset; VTE event type and location; and previously identified independent VTE risk factors (ie, surgery, hospitalization for acute medical illness, active cancer, leg paresis, superficial venous thrombosis, and varicose veins). Using logistic regression we tested active cancer for an association with each of 4 symptomatic VTE locations (arm or intra-abdominal deep venous thrombosis [DVT], intra-abdominal DVT, pulmonary embolism, and bilateral leg DVT), adjusted for age, gender, body mass index, and other VTE risk factors.

In multivariate analyses, active cancer was independently associated with arm or intra-abdominal DVT (odds ratio [OR], 1.76; P = .01), intra-abdominal DVT (OR, 2.22; P = .004), and bilateral leg DVT (OR, 2.09; P = .02), but not pulmonary embolism (OR, 0.93).

Active cancer is associated with VTE location. Location of VTE may be useful in decision making regarding cancer screening.