Venous thrombosis in patients with high-grade glioma

Curr Opin Oncol. 2015 Nov;27(6):516-21. doi: 10.1097/CCO.0000000000000226.

Abstract

Purpose of review: High-grade glioma (HGG) patients are at particularly high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) occurrence and recurrence. VTE is associated with worsened survival in these patients. At present, the main challenge when prescribing anticoagulants in HGG patients is to address the risk of intracranial hemorrhage and provide the optimal treatment.

Recent findings: Here, we discuss the latest biological findings and their potential implications for better classification in daily practice and stratification of patients in future trials according to their risk of developing a VTE.

Summary: To help clinicians, international guidelines have been provided for cancer patients, but their implementation remains suboptimal. We report here the specificities of VTE management in HGG patients relative to other cancer patients. Particular aspects such as anticoagulation under targeted therapies, primary and secondary prophylaxis, and the role of new oral anticoagulants are discussed as well.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anticoagulants / adverse effects
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Brain Neoplasms / complications*
  • Brain Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Glioma / complications*
  • Glioma / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Intracranial Hemorrhages / chemically induced
  • Intracranial Hemorrhages / prevention & control
  • Risk Factors
  • Venous Thromboembolism / diagnosis
  • Venous Thromboembolism / drug therapy*
  • Venous Thromboembolism / etiology
  • Venous Thromboembolism / prevention & control

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Biomarkers