Prevention of venous thromboembolism in cancer using low-molecular-weight heparins.

Patients with cancer are at increased risk for venous and arterial thromboembolism and the principal interventions in such patients--surgical operation, chemotherapy or venous catheterization--heighten this risk. Thromboprophylaxis is indicated in cancer patients undergoing surgical operation and there is also evidence that thrombopropylaxis appears beneficial during chemotherapy, particularly for breast cancer, and possibly for ovarian and pancreatic carcinoma. Low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) have shown promise as a thromboprophylactic agent in oncology patients, and offer significant benefits over standard heparin because of their improved safety profile and ease of use. There is emerging evidence that LMWHs may also favourably influence survival, possibly as a result of direct anti-tumour effects.