The Association of Khorana Risk Score with Venous Thromboembolism and Overall Survival in Patients with Metastatic...

Background and Objectives: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a serious complication frequently encountered in cancer patients and is associated with high morbidity. In patients undergoing cancer treatment-particularly those receiving chemotherapy-VTE increases treatment-related complications and has a direct impact on mortality. The development of VTE in oncology patients varies depending on cancer type, treatment protocols, and individual patient characteristics. The Khorana Risk Score (KRS) is a validated risk assessment tool used to estimate the risk of VTE development in patients receiving chemotherapy. KRS provides risk estimations based on the patient's clinical features, cancer type, and treatment process. This study aims to investigate the prognostic value of the Khorana Risk Score in predicting VTE development and overall survival in patients with metastatic gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study used data from 337 metastatic gastric cancer patients who presented to Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar City Hospital between January 2012 and June 2024. Patients were categorized into intermediate- and high-risk groups according to the Khorana Risk Score. The study's primary endpoints were the development of VTE and overall survival. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in VTE incidence (p = 0.27) or overall survival (11.9 months vs. 11.5 months, p = 0.23) between patients in the intermediate- and high-risk groups. Conclusions: These results indicate that the Khorana Risk Score is insufficient in predicting VTE development in patients with metastatic gastric cancer and has a weak association with overall survival outcomes. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the KRS's inadequacy in predicting VTE and survival outcomes in patients with metastatic gastric cancer, highlighting the need for more tailored approaches.