Cancer-Associated Coagulopathy

With cancer rates steadily rising and patient survival improving thanks to advanced therapies, anesthesiologists increasingly encounter patients with cancer-related coagulation disorders in the surgical setting. These patients face an elevated risk of both thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications, necessitating a detailed understanding of coagulopathy mechanisms and tailored perioperative strategies.

A review by Deshpande et al. breaks down the complex interplay between malignancy and coagulation.

Epidemiology highlights

• 7–11x increase in venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk in cancer patients.
• 3x higher rate of fatal pulmonary embolism (PE) compared to non-cancer patients.
• Certain malignancies (pancreatic, lung, ovarian) show particularly high VTE risk.
• Hematologic malignancies pose the highest bleeding risk (30% incidence).
• Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) occurs in up to:
  • 10% of solid tumors
  • 20% of hematologic cancers

Mechanisms

• Tissue Factor (TF) overexpression: Activates the extrinsic coagulation pathway.
• Microparticles (MPs): Released by tumor and blood cells; rich in TF and procoagulant phospholipids.
• Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs): Trigger clot formation and platelet aggregation.
• Hypoxia and HIF-1α activation: Promotes endothelial damage and TF upregulation.
• VEGF overproduction leads to angiogenesis and vascular fragility.

Clinical manifestations

Thrombotic disorders

• VTE: DVT, PE, upper extremity thrombosis (esp. with central lines).
• Arterial thrombosis: Stroke, myocardial infarction; linked to myeloproliferative neoplasms.
• TMA: Hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, renal dysfunction.
• Veno-Occlusive Disease (VOD): Post-transplant liver failure.
• Nonbacterial Thrombotic Endocarditis (NBTE): Valvular vegetations with systemic emboli.

Bleeding disorders

• DIC: Dual presentation of thrombosis and bleeding.
• Thrombocytopenia: Due to chemotherapy, marrow infiltration, or DIC.
• Acquired von Willebrand disease: Especially in hematologic cancers.
• Drug-induced platelet dysfunction: Seen with ibrutinib, anti-VEGF therapies.

Preoperative management

Preoperative evaluation checklist

• Assess cancer type and stage.
• Review treatment history: chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapies.
• Check coagulation labs:
  • Platelet count
  • PT/INR, PTT
  • D-dimer
  • Viscoelastic testing (TEG or ROTEM)
• Evaluate functional status and comorbidities.

Risk stratify with RAMs (Risk Assessment Models):

• Khorana Score
• Caprini RAM (for surgical patients)
• COMPASS-CAT (for ambulatory cancer patients)

Anticoagulation strategy

• Discontinue DOACs (direct oral anticoagulants) 2–3 days before surgery (longer if renal function is impaired).
• Bridging with LMWH (low molecular weight heparin) may be required.
• Avoid regional anesthesia unless coagulation status is corrected per ASRA (American Society of Regional Anesthesia) guidelines.

Intraoperative management

Best practices

• Monitor with TEG/ROTEM to assess clotting efficiency.
• Prepare for:
  • Platelet transfusion
  • Cryoprecipitate (for low fibrinogen levels)
  • Low-dose Prothrombin Complex Concentrates (PCCs)
• Use leukocyte-reduced or irradiated blood products in immunocompromised patients.

Emergencies to watch for

• DIC (Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation): Treat with targeted transfusions, fibrinogen concentrate, and PCCs.
• Acute PE (Pulmonary Embolism) or MI (Myocardial Infarction): Use intraoperative TEE (transesophageal echocardiography); consider ECMO or thrombectomy if indicated.

Postoperative management

Guidelines

• Begin pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis once bleeding is controlled.
• Continue thromboprophylaxis for 4 weeks postoperatively in high-risk patients (e.g., those undergoing major pelvic or abdominal surgeries).
• Combine mechanical and pharmacologic methods when possible.

Duration of VTE prophylaxis

Score 5–8 (Moderate risk):

• Continue VTE prophylaxis for 10 days after surgery.
• These patients have sufficient risk to warrant extended prophylaxis beyond the immediate hospital stay.

Score ≥ 9 (High risk):

• Continue VTE prophylaxis for 30 days postoperatively.
• These patients have significantly elevated risk and benefit from prolonged prevention strategies.

Impact of common chemotherapeutic agents on coagulation and hemostatic risk

Final thoughts

Cancer-associated coagulopathy is multifactorial, dynamic, and highly individualized. With a rapidly evolving therapeutic landscape and aging patient population, perioperative teams—especially anesthesiologists—must remain vigilant and proactive in managing bleeding and thrombotic risks.

Collaborative, evidence-based protocols and real-time assessment tools like ROTEM/TEG are essential to improving outcomes in this vulnerable population.

For more information on this topic,  check out Anesthesia Updates on the NYSORA Anesthesia Assistant App. 

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