ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Carcinoma/Cancer patients are more susceptible to venous thromboembolism compared to common disease patients. Regardless of chemotherapy, venous thromboembolism risk increases by 5-6 fold. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of deep vein thrombosis in Fauji Foundation, Holy Family and Benazir Bhutto Hospital of Rawalpindi.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 434 carcinoma/cancer patients presented to the Department of Medical Oncology, Fauji Foundation, Holy Family and Benazir Bhutto Hospital of Rawalpindi from May 2020 to July 2021. Malignancy patients of age range from 5 years to 65 years with deep vein thrombosis clinical signs and symptoms were investigated.  All patients had to have a biopsy to prove they had cancer. All patients underwent routine baseline investigations, which included a complete blood picture ECG, biochemistry, and X-rays.

Results: Of the total 434 carcinoma/cancer patients, 23 (5.3%) malignant patients had deep vein thrombosis. The overall mean age of 23 patients was 34.56 ± 8.71 years with an age range from 5 years to 65 years. Out of 23 patients, 14 (60.9%) were male and 9 (39.1%) were females. The prevalence of primary cancer (tumors) and hematological malignancies were 11 (47.8%) and 12 (52.2%) respectively. Enoxaparin injections of 1mg/kg/day were prescribed to these patients for 5 days to 7 days duration followed by 6 months of warfarin.

Conclusion: Our study found that the prevalence of deep vein thrombosis was 5.3%. Antithrombotic agents lower the risk of venous thromboembolism in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Low dose warfarin and Low molecular weight heparins can both prevent and treat cancer-related thrombosis. Venous thromboembolism be treated with either unfractionated heparin (UFH) or low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) before starting Warfarin therapy as per guidelines.