Cancer-Associated Venous Thromboembolic Disease: Anatomoclinical Aspects and Risk Factors

Background Cancer represents an independent risk factor for venous thromboembolic disease (VTE). The main objective of this study is to analyze the cancer profile as well as the related VTE risk factors. Materials and methods A retrospective, descriptive, and analytical study was conducted in the Gabes University Hospital from January 2017 to May 2021. The data study collection focused on patients hospitalized with VTE-associated cancer. Input data and statistical analysis were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26 (Released 2019; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). Results The study involved 135 patients. The average age of the patients was 59.21 years, ranging from 17 to 94 years, and the sex ratio of 1.81. Lung, pancreatic, and bladder cancers significantly increased the risk of VTE by 1.48 (95% CI [1.19-1.85]), 2.60 (95% CI [1.31-5.3]), and 2.61 (95% CI [1.26-5.4]), respectively. Among the patients with metastatic cancer, the risk of developing VTE was 1.55 times higher than patients without metastatic cancer (95% CI [1.1-2.1]). Small cell, squamous cell, and urothelial carcinoma significantly increased (p<0.001) the risk of VTE occurrence by 2.79 (95% CI [1.69-4.6]), 2.41 (95% CI [1.38-4.13]), and 3.03 (95% CI [1.33-6.8]), respectively. Conclusion Among the patients with metastatic cancer, the risk of developing VTE was higher than patients without metastatic cancer. In addition, small cell, squamous cell, and urothelial carcinoma significantly increased the risk of VTE. Problems and knowledge of the VTE risk factors among cancer patients allow for cancer management improvement as well as avoiding further thromboembolic complications.