Journal: Circulation journal : official journal of the Japanese Circulation Society
This publication reviews cancer‑associated thrombosis (CAT) as a major complication in oncology, emphasizing that it includes both arterial and venous thromboembolism.
It highlights that CAT risk arises from a multifactorial interplay of:
- Patient-related factors (host background and comorbidities)
- Tumor-related factors (cancer type, biology, and burden)
- Treatment-related factors, including specific anticancer agents
- Procoagulant tissue factors expressed on tumor cell membranes
- Cytokines and inflammatory mediators released by cancer cells that enhance systemic inflammation and coagulation
The article notes that certain anticancer drugs directly injure vascular endothelium, predisposing to thrombus formation.
It underscores that CAT is strongly associated with worse prognosis in patients with malignancy and stresses the importance of early recognition and prompt management to improve outcomes.