Aim and objectives

We aimed to assess whether complications (clinically relevant bleeding [CRB] and recurrent venous thromboembolism [VTE]) were different according to location of the metastases in patients with cancer associated thrombosis (CAT).

Methodology

Retrospective cohort of consecutive patients with CAT from a single centre. Rate was calculated as the number of patients with complications divided by the number of patients-year at risk. Comparison of rates and calculation of the rate ratio (RR) were performed by using the Fisher?s exact test.

Results

1095 patients with CAT were included from Dec/2007 to Nov/22. Of them, 61.1% had metastases (52.2% in a single location and 47.8% in multiple location). Lung (19.9%), liver (19.6%) and bone (13.8%) were the most frequent.

Patients without metastases (4.5 patients-year, 95%CI: 3.4-5.8) had lower CRB rate than those with multiple metastases (9, 95%CI: 6.2-12.6; RR: 2, IC95%: 1.3-3.1) and single metastases in lungs (13.9; RR: 3.1, 95%CI: 1.6-5.9), liver (12.2; RR: 2.7, 95%CI: 1.4-5.1), bone (10.9; RR: 2.4, 95%CI: 1.1-5.3) and peritoneal (17; RR: 3.8, 95%CI: 1.9-7.6).

Patients without metastases (3.6 patients-year, 95%CI: 2.6-4.8) had lower recurrences rate than those with multiple metastases (10.2; RR: 2.9, 95%CI: 1.8-4.4) and single metastases in lung (10.6; RR: 3, 95%CI: 1.5-6.1), liver (10.2; RR: 2.8, 95%CI: 1.4-5.8) and bone (10.9; RR: 3, 95%CI: 4.4-22.4).

Conclusions

Presence and location of the metastases had influence in CRB and recurrent VTE. If confirmed, specific strategies of anticoagulation may be proposed.