Key result
Chemotherapy is linked to a ~6% prevalence of VTE among cancer patients.
Why the study?
Venous thromboembolism is a life-threatening complication that may exacerbate cancer prognosis, but pooled prevalence estimates in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy are not known.
Meta-Analysis (n=30,671)
Effect estimate: ES 6% (95% CI 6-7%)
p-value: p=< 0.001
The pooled prevalence of VTE in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy is 6%, highlighting the need for stratified VTE risk assessment in this population.
Indicates clinically relevant VTE risk during chemotherapy; leaves open optimal prevention strategies pending randomized data.
Objective: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a life-threatening complication that may exacerbate cancer prognosis. Whilst some studies indicate an increased risk of VTE in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, the prevalence estimates on the pooled prevalence of VTE in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy are not known. This study aims to calculate the pooled prevalence of VTE in chemotherapy-treated cancer patients. Methods: Studies on VTE occurrence in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy were retrieved after database search. The terms used included “cancer”, “chemotherapy”, and “venous thromboembolism”. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to obtain a pooled estimate of VTE prevalence in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Results: A total of 102 eligible studies involving 30,671 patients (1773 with VTE, 28,898 without) were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled estimate of VTE prevalence was found to be 6%, ranging from 6% to 7% (ES 6%; 95% CI 6−7%; z = 18.53; p < 0.001). Conclusions: The estimated pooled prevalence rate of VTEs was 6% in cancer patients undergoing CRT, which was higher than the overall crude prevalence rate (5.78%). Comprehensive cancer care should consider stratified VTE risk assessment based on cancer phenotype, given that certain phenotypes of cancer such as bladder, gastric and ovarian posing particularly high risks of VTE.
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Sun et al. (2022) conducted a meta-analysis in Cancer (n=30,671). Chemotherapy was evaluated on Pooled prevalence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) (ES 6%, 95% CI 6-7%, p=< 0.001). The pooled prevalence of venous thromboembolism in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy was 6% (95% CI 6-7%; p<0.001).
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