Mechanism and management of cancer-associated thrombosis

Thromboembolism is considered to have a substantial impact on outcomes in patients with cancer. Although progress in cancer therapy and the advent of new anticancer agents such as molecular targeted drugs have improved the outcomes of patients with cancer, the incidence of cancer-therapy-related thromboembolism is increasing, and the management of this adverse reaction has become a major problem. Cancer is intimately related to thrombosis. Thrombus formation results from the complex interaction of various factors, such as tissue factors, coagulation abnormalities, activated platelet activation, activated adhesion activation, and endothelial cell dysfunction. Thrombosis has an impact on cancer proliferation and extension. The condition known as “cancer-related thrombosis” must therefore be managed differently from thrombosis in patients without cancer.