Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

© 2016 The Author(s). Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a well-recognised and life-threatening complication in patients with cancer. However, the precise risk of VTE in hospitalised cancer patients in England has not been previously reported. Methods: We conducted a cohort study using linked Hospital Episodes Statistics and Office for National Statistics mortality data. We determined the risk of VTE separately for 24 cancer sites following first hospitalisation for cancer (index date) and how this varied by age, proximity from hospital admission, administration of chemotherapy and calendar time. Results: Between 1998 and 2012, 3,558,660 patients were hospitalised for cancer. The cancer sites with the highest risk of VTE during initial hospitalisation for cancer were pancreatic (4.9 %), ovarian (4 %) and liver (3.8 %). The three cancer sites with the highest risk of first VTE event within 6 months from discharge were pancreatic (3.7 %), oesophagus (3 %) and stomach (2.8 %). For most cancers, the risk of VTE within 6 months from discharge was higher amongst patients who underwent chemotherapy compared to those who did not. The impact of age on risk of VTE varied considerably between cancer sites. Conclusions: The risk of VTE amongst patients hospitalised for cancer varies greatly by cancer site, age, proximity from hospital admission, and chemotherapy administration.

Original publication

DOI

10.1186/s13045-016-0291-0

Type

Journal article

Journal

Journal of Hematology and Oncology

Publication Date

26/07/2016

Volume

9