Cancer Treatments Raise Risk of Blood Clots

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Blood clots or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) during cancer treatment is a very real risk. It's important for any patients currently undergoing cancer treatments understand their risk factors and what they can do to lower their risk for developing blood clots. 

What Are Blood Clots (DVTs)?

A DVT is a blood clot that forms in a deep vein in the body, usually in the legs. If the clot breaks loose, it can travel to the lungs and cause a blockage in the arteries leading to the lungs, a condition known as a pulmonary embolism. 

Blood clots are often seen in patients diagnosed with lung cancer, between 3-15%. They appear to develop more commonly with non-small cell lung cancer than with small cell lung cancer. Those with an advanced stage of lung cancer are also at a high risk for blood clots. If you're receiving chemotherapy, especially the targeted therapies or post-surgery, also makes you at risk. Almost 7% of people who have lung cancer surgery develop blood clots post-operatively.

It's important to recognize and catch blood clots early, especially since they lower survival rates with lung cancer. 

A recent study showed patients with non-small cell lung cancer had a 1.7 fold increased risk of dying if they had a blood clot. It's also been found that those with a DVT cut their survival rate in half. 

The biggest risk when it comes to blood clots is the potential of them breaking off and traveling to the lungs, creating an emergency situation known as a pulmonary embolism. If untreated, this condition can be fatal. 

For those clots that do not break loose, patients can develop chronic leg pain and if not treated, it creates a condition known as post-thrombotic symdrome. After surgery, the peak time for developing blood clots is 7 days later. 

Risk Factors for Blood Clots

Having lung cancer alone increases the risk of developing blood clots, but some situations increase the risk further. Some of these include:

  • Surgery – Especially lung cancer surgery
  • Chemotherapy and targeted cancer therapies
  • Inactivity or prolonged bed rest
  • Smoking
  • Travel – Extended travel by car or plane increases the risk of blood clots. This can be a concern for those who need to travel long distances for treatment

You need to watch for two types of symptoms: Those that are due to a clot in your leg, or those that might suggest a clot has traveled to your lungs (pulmonary embolism).

Symptoms of blood clots (DVT):

  • None – Occasionally a blood clot is present without any symptoms
  • Leg/calf pain – Especially a cramping type of pain in only one leg
  • Swelling
  • Redness
  • Warmth
  • Pain with extension of your toes – Pain due to a blood clot usually increases if you point your toes toward your head

Symptoms of pulmonary embolism:

  • Chest pain – The chest pain associated with a pulmonary embolism is usually worse with coughing and taking a deep breath
  • Abrupt onset shortness of breath
  • Lightheadedness or fainting
  • Coughing up blood (hemoptysis) – It is very important to be aware of this symptom, since lung cancer itself may cause you to cough up blood

If you experience any of the above symptoms, you need to consult with your doctor immediately. A pulmonary embolism can be fatal, and you should call 911 immediately if you have any symptoms..


Tips for Preventing Blood Clots (DVTs) During Lung Cancer Treatment

  • Exercise lower calves when sitting or lying in bed. Point your toes toward your head and back several times
  • After surgery, try to walk as soon as your doctor lets you know it is safe
  • Drink 8 glasses of water per day
  • Avoid smoking, alcohol and caffeine – Both alcohol and caffeine can dehydrate you and raise your risk
  • Watch your blood pressure and salt intake – Elevated blood pressure increases the risk of blood clots, and it can be easy to neglect this more “minor” problem amidst the rigors of cancer treatment
  • Elevate your legs during rest