
Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Neha Gupta ( Medical Oncology)
An indispensable clinical hematologic oncology guide on managing Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism (PE) in cancer patients, evaluating the Khorana Risk Score, Direct Oral Anticoagulants (Apixaban, Rivaroxaban, Edoxaban) vs. LMWH, and GI mucosal bleeding precautions.
CRITICAL CLINICAL RED FLAG: Sudden onset of unilateral leg swelling and calf tenderness (DVT) or acute unexplained shortness of breath, pleuritic chest pain, and tachycardia (PE) in an active oncology patient demands emergency venous Doppler ultrasound or CT Pulmonary Angiography.
Malignant neoplasms generate a continuous hypercoagulable state through tumor expression of tissue factor, release of procoagulant microparticles, production of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1), and vascular stasis from extrinsic venous compression. Cancer patients face a 4- to 7-fold elevated risk of venous thromboembolism compared to non-cancer populations.
High-Risk Tumor Types: Pancreatic, stomach, brain, lung, ovarian, and hematologic malignancies.
Treatment Factors: Chemotherapy (Cisplatin, Thalidomide/Lenalidomide), central venous catheters, and major pelvic/abdominal surgery.
Calculated prior to starting systemic chemotherapy:
Very High Risk Site (Pancreas, Stomach): 2 points.
High Risk Site (Lung, Lymphoma, Gynecologic, Bladder, Testicular): 1 point.
Pre-chemotherapy Platelet Count >=350,000/mcL: 1 point.
Hemoglobin <10 g/dL or use of ESA: 1 point.
Pre-chemotherapy Leukocyte Count >11,000/mcL: 1 point.
BMI >=35 kg/m²: 1 point. (Score >=2 qualifies for thromboprophylaxis consideration).
"Venous thromboembolism is the second leading cause of mortality in cancer patients. Early risk scoring and tailored DOAC anticoagulation save lives without compromising ongoing cancer treatment." — Dr. Neha Gupta

Oral Factor Xa inhibitors (Apixaban 10 mg BID x7 days followed by 5 mg BID; Rivaroxaban 15 mg BID x21 days followed by 20 mg OD) demonstrate non-inferior efficacy compared to subcutaneous Dalteparin with superior patient convenience and quality of life.
CLINICAL CAUTION: Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs) carry an elevated risk of major gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with active, unresected luminal GI malignancies (gastric, esophageal, or colorectal cancers); Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH) is preferred in these cases.
Anticoagulation must be maintained for a minimum of 6 months and continued indefinitely as long as active cancer or ongoing systemic antineoplastic therapy persists.
1. Apixaban for the Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism Associated with Cancer (CARAVAGGIO Trial) — NEJM, 2020; 382: 1599-1607.
2. Management of Cancer-Associated Thrombosis: ASCO Clinical Practice Guideline Update — J Clin Oncol, 2023; 41(20): 3672-3691.

Senior Consultant & Clinical Director — Medical Oncology
MBBS (BFUHS Faridkot), MD Radiation Oncology (BFUHS Faridkot), DrNB Medical Oncology (Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad), Precision Oncology (Harvard, USA), Ex Consultant RGCI New Delhi

13+ Years Experience
Spica — Grover Hospital
Request a priority OPD appointment or second opinion on your scans.
Proprietary surgical methodologies and precision protocols pioneered by our senior directors to minimize trauma, protect natural anatomy, and accelerate recovery.

Dr. Deepak Garg (Orthopaedic Surgical Oncology - RGCI Delhi Trained) and Dr. Neha Gupta (Medical Oncology) co-lead the Bone Cancer & Sarcoma Center at Spica Healthcare. Integrating intensive multi-agent neoadjuvant chemotherapy protocols (MAP: High-Dose Methotrexate, Doxorubicin, Cisplatin for Osteosarcoma; VIDE: Vincristine, Ifosfamide, Doxorubicin, Etoposide for Ewing Sarcoma) with 3D computer-navigated limb salvage surgery and modular titanium megaprosthetic joint reconstruction, 5-year survival rates exceed 75% to 80% while saving over 95% of patients from limb amputation.
Spica Healthcare — Bone and Cancer Institute, Bathinda — is South-Western Punjab's premier super-speciality centre led by AIIMS and Tata Memorial fellowship-trained directors.
Every diagnostic MRI review, surgical staging, and operation is personally directed by chief clinical specialists — Dr. Deepak Garg (Orthopaedic Oncology & Robotics) and Dr. Neha Gupta (Medical Oncology) — guaranteeing zero junior proxies.
Sub-millimeter implant positioning and soft-tissue ligament balancing ensuring patients walk comfortably within 24 hours of total knee replacement.
South-West Punjab's only dedicated centre for modular titanium megaprosthesis, saving natural limbs and functions in 95%+ of bone cancer patients.
Full cashless coverage for Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY), Punjab Govt Health Schemes, ECHS, and 30+ private insurance networks with on-desk approvals.
Positive-pressure HEPA filtered theatres minimizing infection rates below international benchmarks with 24/7 dedicated critical care backup.
Fellowship-trained surgical directors from AIIMS & Tata Memorial providing compassionate, world-class tertiary care in super-speciality orthopaedics and medical oncology.

Senior Consultant & Clinical Director — Medical Oncology
MBBS (BFUHS Faridkot), MD Radiation Oncology (BFUHS Faridkot), DrNB Medical Oncology (Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad), Precision Oncology (Harvard, USA), Ex Consultant RGCI New Delhi


Senior Consultant & Clinical Director — Orthopaedic Oncology & Robotic Joint Surgery
16+ Yrs ExpSenior Consultant & Clinical Director — Orthopaedic Oncology & Robotic Joint Surgery
MBBS (TNMC Mumbai), DNB Orthopaedics (PGI & SP Miraj), Fellowship Arthroplasty and Arthroscopy (Fortis Hospital, New Delhi), Fellowship Orthopaedic Oncology (Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute, New Delhi)
Free OPD screening camps, director-led masterclasses, and national oncology representations by Spica Healthcare.
Real stories from patients who recovered through limb preservation surgery, 3D robotic joint replacements, and precision cancer care at Spica Healthcare — Grover Hospital, Bathinda.
Evidence-based surgical recovery roadmaps, robotic joint protocols, and precision oncology insights written by our clinical directors.