A blood clot is a serious condition that needs treatment right away. People with cancer and those receiving cancer treatment have an increased risk for blood clots. Normal blood clotting, called coagulation, is a complex process. It involves specialized blood cells, called platelets, and different proteins in the blood, called clotting or coagulation factors. These platelets and coagulation factors clump together to heal broken blood vessels and
control bleeding. Coagulation factors that promote bleeding and those that promote clotting must be balanced. Blood clotting disorders occur when some clotting factors are missing or damaged. This causes clots to form inside the body that block normal blood flow and cause serious problems. Blood clots can occur in and travel to different parts of the body, including: Veins, called a venous thromboembolism (VTE). If the vein is in the leg, thigh, or pelvis, it is called
deep venous thrombosis (DVT). The lungs, called a pulmonary embolism (PE). An artery. This is less common but also very serious. People with clotting problems may experience: Arm or leg swelling on 1 side of the body Pain in the arm or leg where a blood clot is located Trouble breathing or chest pain when breathing Rapid heart beat Low oxygen levels Relieving side effects is an important part of cancer care and treatment. This is called palliative care or supportive care. Tell your health care team about any of these symptoms immediately. Even people with low levels of platelets can develop a blood clot. Sometimes people do not know they have a blood clot until it is diagnosed during a test. Causes of clotting problemsPeople with cancer have a higher risk of blood clots and clotting disorders. This may be caused by the cancer or its treatment. Such risk factors include:
Blood clots can also be caused by reasons other than cancer and its treatment, such as:
Diagnosing clotting problemsYour doctor may use one or more ways to find a blood clot, including:
Preventing and treating clotting problemsBlood clots can be prevented and treated with drugs. Anticoagulants are drugs that stop clots from happening or stop existing clots from getting worse. These drugs may increase a person's risk of bleeding, but they are safe for most people. Typical anticoagulants include:
Some of these drugs are taken by mouth. Others are given as an injection under the skin, called a subcutaneous injection. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recommends the following to help prevent blood clots in people with cancer:
Your doctor may also recommend the following methods in addition to taking medicine to prevent blood clots:
Learn more about these recommendations on a separate ASCO website. A person with a blood clot needs treatment right away. The most common treatment is an anticoagulant that can be injected under the skin or into a vein. But some people may take a pill that is swallowed. Once the blood is considered thin enough, there is a lower risk of clotting. People who are receiving blood thinners must be regularly monitored for any increased bleeding. Some people are unable to receive blood thinners because they have low platelet levels or a high risk of bleeding. For these people, a special type of filter can be placed in the body to prevent a blood clot from traveling to the lungs, a condition that can be very dangerous. Questions to ask the health care teamTalk with your health care team to learn more about your risk of developing a blood clot, how blood clot prevention will be included in your overall treatment plan, and what treatments are available if you develop a blood clot. Consider asking the following questions:
Related ResourcesWhen to Call the Doctor During Cancer Treatment Traveling with Cancer Download ASCO's free 1-page (front and back) fact sheet on Understanding Complete Blood Count (CBC) Tests as a printable PDF. This introduction to understanding blood test results has information on complete blood count, white blood cell count, white blood cell differential, red blood cell count, and platelet count, as well as words to know, and questions to ask the healthcare team.Which conditions are associated with clotting disorders?Major causes of coagulation disorders resulting in bleeding include:. Hemophilia. ... . Von Willebrand disease. ... . Other clotting factor deficiencies. ... . Disseminated intravascular coagulation. ... . Liver Disease. ... . Overdevelopment of circulating anticoagulants. ... . Vitamin K deficiency. ... . Platelet dysfunction.. Which conditions put patients at risk for developing blood clots?Blood clots can affect anyone at any age, but certain risk factors, such as surgery, hospitalization, pregnancy, cancer and some types of cancer treatments can increase risks. In addition, a family history of blood clots can increase a person's risk. The chance of a blood clot increases when you have more risk factors.
What is the most common form of blood clotting condition?Acquired blood clotting disorders. Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS): This is the most common acquired clotting disorder. ... . Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC): This condition is caused by an infection (such as Sepsis) or an injury.. What are the symptoms of a blood clotting disorder?Symptoms can include: Swollen and tender legs that are painful to the touch, if you have blood clots that block blood flow to your leg veins (called deep vein thrombosis or DVT) Shortness of breath and chest pain, if you have a blood clot that travels to the lungs (called a pulmonary embolism)
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