Cancer and venous thromboembolism.

The evidence of the important two-way clinical correlation between cancer and venous thromboembolism (VTE) dates back to Trousseau's time. Over time it has been established that cancer patients not only exhibit a higher risk of developing VTE when compared with noncancer patients, but also that VTE, especially in its idiopathic presentation, sometimes acts as an epiphenomenon of a hidden cancer, offering possible chances for anticipated diagnosis of the pathology. Research has contributed greatly to the progression of this field through the identification of VTE risk factors in this setting, and through the assessment of the most adequate thromboprophylaxis and treatment modalities as well as secondary prophylaxis management. Anticoagulant drugs appear to be an attractive strategy in cancer treatment because there is growing evidence for their possible benefits in terms of cancer prognosis and patient survival.