Chemotherapy-induced venous thromboembolism in patients with breast cancer

Abstract

Background: This study aims to investigate the clinical presentation of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: Between January 2008 and December 2012, 500 women who were diagnosed with grade 1, 2 or 3 breast cancer and underwent postoperative chemotherapy to prevent recurrences at Ondokuz Mayis University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Oncology were included. All data were reviewed by the experts at Ondokuz Mayis University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery. Results: The median age was 70 years (range, 32 to 76 years) in patients with VTE and 48 years (range, 23 to 76 years) in patients without VTE. Eleven patients (2.2%) had VTE. The median age was higher in patients with thromboembolism (p<0.001). A higher number of patients with thromboembolism had positive axillary lymph nodes, late stage and high grade disease, which were indicators of poor prognosis (p=0.006, p=0.002, p<0.0001, respectively). Conclusion: Patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy should be closely monitored for VTE development. It should be also kept in mind that advanced age and malignant tumors are risk factors for VTE.