VENOUS THROMBOSIS DURING MULTIMODAL TREATMENT OF PRIMARY BREAST-CARCINOMA

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 65  (7-8) , 677-679
Abstract
In a cooperative group study of 433 breast cancer patients treated with 2 yr of postmastectomy chemotherapy [cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, vincristine, prednisone, BCG methanol extraction residue], 22 (5%) developed venous thromboses of various types. Two patients died. None of the patients had demonstrable tumor metastases at the time of the venous thrombosis, although 7 had metastases a median of 11 mo. after the thromboses. Thirteen living patients have not had tumor recurrences. No patient developed thrombosis after the chemotherapy was completed. It is possible that 1 or more of the chemotherapeutic agents initiated the clotting problems. Thrombophlebitis is a possible problem occurring during adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer and requires prompt treatment.