[Screening for occult cancer in patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism].

Abstract

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is the third most common cardiovascular disease. Unprovoked VTE can be the initial presentation of occult cancer. Up to 10% of patients with unprovoked VTE are diagnosed with cancer within a year. Cancer screening in patients with unprovoked VTE is beneficial for early cancer diagnosis and treatment, which may theoretically reduce cancer-related morbidity and mortality. The epidemiology of occult cancer in patients with unprovoked VTE, screening strategies originated from evidence-based medicine, risk factors of cancer and different models of risk assessment are reviewed in this article.