(Source: American College of Cardiology Foundation) Among the known risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE), cancer remains one of the most potent. In a 15-year population study, patients with an active malignancy were 4.1 times more likely to suffer a VTE event than those free from malignancy. This risk increased to 6.5-fold if they were receiving chemotherapy. The risk also varies with the type of malignancy. Solid tumors, such as those involving the pancreas, stomach, or lung, are associated with a two-year VTE incidence ranging from 1.3-3.2%, and the risk increases up to 21.5-fold in the setting of metastatic disease. Hematologic malignancies are not exempt from these grim...
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