The burden and predictors of venous thromboembolic diseases in patients with multiple primary malignancies

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) represents a considerable burden on cancer patients' survival and quality of life, but this burden varies based on the patient's baseline characteristics and cancer‐related factors. Although solid evidence on the predictors and effect of VTE in cancer patients exists. AIM: To evaluate VTE rate, morbidity, and mortality to develop parameters that could predict VTEs and their associated mortality in patients with multiple primary malignancies (MPMs). METHOD AND RESULTS: This was a retrospective cohort study that took place at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Two hundred and forty‐two patients with at least two biopsy‐proven malignancies and had at least 3 months of follow‐up after MPMs diagnosis were included. VTE was diagnosed in 14.5% of the cases, two‐thirds of which were deep vein thrombosis. VTE was significantly associated with a higher mortality and worse survival. Predictors of VTE after MPMs diagnosis were a high ECOG performance status at MPMs diagnosis, a metastatic first primary malignancy, and ICU admission after MPMs diagnosis. Having a GI or hematological malignancy as the second primary malignancy, a high D‐dimer at ICU admission, and palliative care referral were significantly associated with a higher mortality in patients who had VTE. CONCLUSION: VTE was diagnosed in 14.5% of patients with MPMs and it significantly compromises their survival. We believe that these results might be of particular benefit since the phenomenon of MPMs is becoming more frequently encountered.