Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026
04:48
Chemotherapy-induced Vascular Toxicity - Real-time In vivo Imaging of Vessel Impairment
Published on: January 7, 2015
Thrombotic and bleeding complications associated with chemotherapy.
Brandon J McMahon1, Hau C Kwaan
1Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA.
Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis
|October 12, 2012
Summary
Cancer patients face higher risks of thrombosis due to chemotherapy and cancer itself. Understanding these mechanisms could help prevent dangerous blood clots with early anticoagulant prophylaxis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Hematology
Background:
- Cancer patients exhibit elevated risks for thrombosis and bleeding complications.
- Chemotherapy agents, cancer type and stage, patient age, and comorbidities contribute to thrombotic risks.
- Surgical procedures and indwelling vascular devices further exacerbate thrombosis risk in cancer patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the mechanisms underlying chemotherapy- and cancer-associated thrombosis.
- To identify high-risk cancer patients who may benefit from anticoagulant prophylaxis.
Main Methods:
- Review of correlative and clinical studies on coagulation in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
- Analysis of factors contributing to thrombotic complications in cancer treatment.
Main Results:
- Chemotherapeutic agents and cancer treatments are independent risk factors for thrombosis.
- Upregulation of coagulation observed in response to chemotherapeutics.
- Thrombosis during cancer treatment is associated with a poorer overall prognosis.
Conclusions:
- Mechanisms of cancer-associated thrombosis remain incompletely understood.
- Improved mechanistic insight is crucial for identifying at-risk patients.
- Early anticoagulant prophylaxis may benefit high-risk cancer patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Disorders of Hemostasis
Hemostasis, the process that stops bleeding after a blood vessel injury, is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the circulatory system. However, disorders of hemostasis can disrupt this delicate balance, leading to either excessive clotting or bleeding. These disorders can be broadly classified into thromboembolic disorders and bleeding disorders.
Thromboembolic Disorders
Two factors primarily cause thromboembolic conditions.
Thromboembolic Disorders
Two factors primarily cause thromboembolic conditions.
01:30Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management
Nursing management begins with a thorough assessment of the patient's health history. Key factors include trauma to veins, peripherally inserted central catheters, varicose veins, recent pregnancy or childbirth, surgery, bacteremia, prolonged bed rest, atrial fibrillation, COPD, heart failure, cancer, coagulation disorders, myocardial infarction, spinal cord injury, stroke, prolonged travel, recent bone fractures, and dehydration. Review medication intake, particularly oral contraceptives,...
01:29Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
Venous thrombosis requires effective prevention and treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce potential complications.Prevention StrategiesHealthcare providers must prioritize preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) for all adult patients upon admission. Interventions depend on bleeding and thrombosis risk, medical history, current medications, diagnoses, planned procedures, and patient preferences. Patients on bed rest should change positions every two hours and, if not...
01:30Venous Thrombosis I: Introduction
Venous thrombosis, the most common disorder of the veins, involves the formation of a thrombus or blood clot associated with vein inflammation. It can be classified as either superficial vein thrombosis or deep vein thrombosis.Superficial Vein Thrombosis: This involves the formation of a thrombus in a superficial vein, usually the greater or lesser saphenous vein. Though less severe than deep vein thrombosis (DVT), SVT can lead to complications if untreated.Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): This...
01:30Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins
Hemostasis is a crucial process that prevents excessive blood loss from damaged blood vessels. It involves various mechanisms such as vasoconstriction, platelet adhesion and activation, and fibrin formation. The importance of each mechanism depends on the type of vessel injury. In contrast, thrombosis is the abnormal formation of a blood clot within the blood vessels, leading to potential complications if the clot obstructs blood flow. Thrombosis can be caused by increased coagulability of the...
01:29Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists
Dopamine receptor antagonists, also known as antipsychotic agents, are critical in managing chemotherapy-induced vomiting. These antiemetic agents block dopamine receptors in the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ), inhibiting signal transmission to the vomiting center. Antipsychotic agents encompass phenothiazines (PTZ), butyrophenones, benzamides, and thienobenzodiazepines (Zyprexa), which are utilized for their antiemetic and sedative properties.
Phenothiazines, such as prochlorperazine...
Phenothiazines, such as prochlorperazine...