Adapted from:
– Healthline’s: Everything you want to know about Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
– Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre: Blood Clots (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and Cancer
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a serious condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein located deep inside your body. A blood clot is a clump of blood that’s turned to a solid state.
Deep vein blood clots typically form in the thigh or lower leg, but they can also develop in other areas of the body. A DVT that detaches from a vein in one part of the body and then travels to the lungs is called a pulmonary embolism. Other names associated with this condition may include thromboembolism, post-thrombotic syndrome, and postphlebitic syndrome.
People diagnosed with brain cancer are at an increased risk of developing these dangerous blood clots. This is because some of the genetic changes that cause brain cancer increase the activation of clotting factors. Many chemotherapy drugs used to fight brain cancer can also increase the clotting.
If you already have a condition that increases clotting, your risk of developing a blood clot during brain cancer treatment also increases.
Certain conditions may increase your risk of blood clots. They include:
- Inherited disorders, such as the Factor V Leiden mutation
- A prothrombin gene mutation
- A protein C deficiency
- A protein S deficiency
- An antithrombin III deficiency
Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis
People may not find out that they have deep vein thrombosis until they’ve gone through emergency treatment for a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung). When symptoms do occur, they may include:
- Sudden pain and swelling in the legs
- Sharp chest pain
- Fast pulse
- Bloody cough
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating or fever
- Severe abdominal pain, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Skin surrounding the DVT turning pale, or red, or blue in colour.
Deep Vein Thrombosis treatments
DVT treatments focus mainly on preventing the blood clots from growing. This can be done via:
- Anti-coagulant medication or blood thinning medication prescribed by the patient’s doctor
- Compression stockings to prevent excess fluid retention from pooling in their lower limbs
- Filters placed within the large abdominal vein called the vena cava to prevent pulmonary embolisms entering the lung
There may be difficulty in treating brain tumour patients with anti-coagulation if they are diagnosed with DVT. Discuss with your cancer care team if this is a concern.
How to prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis
- Moving frequently and avoiding prolonged periods of sitting is important to improve blood flow and circulation.
- Keeping your arms and legs elevated above the hips also helps improve blood circulation. This can be done by using little stools or boxes to elevate the legs.
- Wearing compression stockings to prevent fluid from pooling and reduce swelling is especially important in the lower limbs.
- Moving, stretching, and flexing your feet and legs also improves circulation.
Some lifestyle changes that can reduce the risk of DVT’s are:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Maintaining a healthy blood pressure
- Keeping active
- Not smoking or reducing smoking
- Staying hydrated
- Going for regular check-ups with your local doctor
Other Resources
Healthline: Everything You Want to Know About Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
MSK Cancer Centre: Blood Clots (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and Cancer