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Deep venous thrombosis and occult malignancy: an epidemiological study
M Nordström1, B Lindblad, H Anderson
1Department of Medicine and Surgery, Malmö General Hospital, University of Lund, Sweden.
BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.)
|April 2, 1994
Summary
Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) patients show a higher risk of developing cancer within six months of diagnosis. Simple clinical methods can detect these malignancies, negating the need for extensive screening.
Area of Science:
- Medical research
- Oncology
- Vascular medicine
Background:
- Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a condition that can be linked to underlying malignancies.
- Understanding the temporal relationship between DVT and cancer diagnosis is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the risk of subsequent cancer development in individuals diagnosed with deep venous thrombosis (DVT).
Main Methods:
- A retrospective cohort study involving 4399 patients who underwent venography for suspected DVT between 1984-1988.
- Patients were followed up using a cancer registry until January 1991.
- Cancer incidence was compared between patients with and without DVT.
Main Results:
- Patients with DVT had a significantly higher incidence of malignancy within the first six months post-diagnosis compared to those without DVT (P < 0.0001).
- After six months, the cancer incidence was similar in both groups.
- Most cancers in the DVT group were detected through standard clinical evaluation, suggesting limited benefit from extensive screening.
Conclusions:
- Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is associated with an increased frequency of malignancy in the initial six months following diagnosis.
- Malignancies can be identified using routine clinical and diagnostic approaches.
- Extensive cancer screening is not indicated for all patients with DVT.