Venous Thromboembolism (Blood Clots) and Cancer

"Venous Thromboembolism (Blood Clots) and Cancer

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If you are currently being treated for cancer, it is important to know that you are at increased risk for developing a blood clot. The good news, though, is blood clots may be preventable and treated if discovered early.

While everyone is at risk for developing a blood clot (also called venous thromboembolism or VTE), having cancer and some of its treatments increase the risk for a blood clot. Learn other interesting facts about blood clots below.

Why Are People with Cancer at Risk for Developing a Blood Clot?

• Some cancers pose a greater risk for blood clots, including cancers involving the pancreas, stomach, brain, lungs, uterus, ovaries, and kidneys. Certain blood cancers, such as lymphoma and myeloma, also increase risk.
• Treatments for these cancers involving hospitalization, surgery, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and catheters (small tubes placed in veins to administer treatments) may also increase your risk for blood clots.

Several other factors may also increase the risk for a blood clot in a person being treated for cancer, such as

• A previous blood clot
• Family history of blood clots or inherited clotting disorder
• Hospitalization for illness or major surgery, particularly those involving the pelvis, abdomen, hip, or knee
• Broken bone or severe muscle injury
• Severe physical trauma, such as a motor vehicle accident
• Serious medical conditions, such as heart and lung diseases or diabetes
• Sitting too long, such as traveling for more than 4 hours, especially with legs crossed
• Other causes of immobility, such as extended bedrest
• Being overweight or having obesity
• Smoking.."
  Blood clots

Are You At Risk for Clots?

"Venous thromboembolism (VTE), also known as blood clots, is a serious, growing public health issue that everyone should know about. Blood clots are preventable, yet an estimated 900,000 Americans are affected each year by a blood clot, resulting in nearly 100,000 deaths.

It is important to understand your risk for a blood clot and to know the signs and symptoms in order to seek treatment early and prevent death from a blood clot. Learn more about blood clots and read how the Stop the Clot, Spread the Word TM campaign is raising more awareness about blood clots.

What is a blood clot?

A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that occurs in a deep vein, usually in the lower leg, thigh, pelvis, or arm. A DVT can occur without any symptoms, but it is often accompanied by swelling, pain, and redness of the skin. If a DVT is not treated, a part of the clot can break off and travel to the lungs, causing a blockage in the lungs called a pulmonary embolism (PE). A PE can cause symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, coughing, coughing up blood, and irregular heartbeats. It is important to seek immediate medical treatment when experiencing any of these symptoms. A DVT does not go away on its own. Only a healthcare provider can diagnose and treat a blood clot with medicine or in rare cases, surgery..."

Clots

Deep Vein Thrombosis (Blood Clots)

"Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is often an underdiagnosed and serious, but preventable medical condition.
DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein. These clots usually develop in the lower leg, thigh, or pelvis, but they can also occur in the arm. Another type of blood clot, called pulmonary embolism (PE), can form when part of a blood clot breaks off and travels to the lungs.
It is important to know about DVT and PE because they can happen to anybody and can cause serious illness, disability, and in some cases, death. The good news is that blood clots are preventable and treatable if discovered early..."
Deep vein thrombosis

Do You Know about Blood Clots and Travel?

"People love to travel. For example, more than 300 million people travel on long-distance airline flights (generally more than four hours) each year.¹ But did you know that blood clots, also called deep vein thrombosis (DVT), can be a serious risk for some long-distance travelers. Most information about blood clots and long-distance travel comes from information that has been gathered about air travel. However, anyone traveling more than four hours, whether by air, car, bus, or train, can be at risk for blood clots.."
Blood clots and travel