Coagulation in Hematological Malignancies

Abstract

Patients with hematological malignancies, like patients with other types of cancer, are at high risk of thrombo/hemorrhagic complications. The incidence rate of these events is greatly variable and it is influenced by many factors, including the type and stage of disease, the therapeutic regimen, and the presence or not of thromboprophylaxis. A number of clinical risk factors contribute to the increased thrombotic rate in hematological malignancies. Biological properties of the tumor cells also influence the hypercoagulable state of these patients. Of interest, oncogenes responsible for neoplastic transformation might be involved in clotting activation. No recommendations for a routinary thromboprophylaxis in hematologic malignancies are available, with the exception of multiple myeloma. Large prospective randomized clinical trials are needed to establish the best practice for thromboprophylaxis and treatment of venous thromboembolism in these conditions.

Keywords:

• Thrombosis
• Hypercoagulable state
• Hematological malignancies
• Lymphoma
• Multiple myeloma
• Leukemia
• Tissue factor
• Thromboprophylaxis
• Coagulopathy