Challenging Situations and Knowledge Gaps of Cancer-Associated Blood Clots

Special Series: Approaches to Patients with Cancer and Thrombosis (Blood Clots)

Plain language summary of Approach to Cancer-Associated Thrombosis: Challenging Situations and Knowledge Gaps The Oncologist, January 2021

This article talks about how to treat blood clots in patients who have cancer and other health problems or concerns. Here are some of the key findings. 

• Treatment for cancer is complex. Treatment for blood clots is an added concern. 
• In some cases, little is known about how best to treat blood clots in patients who have cancer and other health problems. 
• To make a decision about treatment, patients and their doctors have to share their knowledge and concerns. This type of discussion between patient and doctor is called shared decision-making.  
• Today there are medicines that patients with cancer can take to treat blood clots. 
  • One medicine, called a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC), is a pill you swallow. 
  • Another kind of drug called low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is given by injection. 
• Deciding which treatment for blood clots is best for which patient is not easy. There are many factors to consider, especially when patients have other challenging health concerns.  
• This paper outlines ways to help doctors make treatment decisions for patients with cancer and other health problems or challenges.