Chemotherapy is a beneficial and widely used treatment for cancer. It can be crucial and the only life-saving treatment for many cancer patients. However, during their treatment, these patients must be monitored for life- threatening conditions such as Deep Vein Thrombosis ( DVT ) , as well as many Vascular problems.
Deep Vein Thrombosis occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one or more of the deep veins in the body. Vascular Problems are those which include the Capillaries, veins and arteries that carry blood to and from the heart. For patients undergoing chemotherapy, problems of the vascular system are common and can be critical because arteries can become thick and stiff ( a problem called atherosclerosis) and blood clots can clog vessels and block blood flow to the heart or brain. Both of these conditions can be harmful if they are not treated early. They can also slow down the recovery process for patients who are undergoing chemotherapy.
Prevention is key for cancer-therapy patients
Thromboembolic complications are the second leading cause of death in cancer patients; However, the good news is that there are many ways to detect and prevent these deadly complications of chemotherapy. The first thing you should do is consult your Oncologist because no one knows better about your condition than your doctor. It is important to discuss with him/her your risk factors of DVT and Vascular Problems when undergoing chemotherapy. He/ She will let you know what precautions you need to take to prepare for the treatment. Once treatment is started it is important to monitor for DVT and Vascular problems by going for routine vascular ultrasounds so that any problems can be caught and treated early.
Factors that can promote DVT and Vascular Problems during Chemotherapy
It is important to understand what factors promote DVT and Vascular disease during chemotherapy. When cancer cells are killed during chemotherapy, they can release substances that cause more blood clotting (coagulation). In addition, chemotherapy can also damage the walls of blood vessels. Both of these side effects increase your risk of DVT and Vascular diseases. For example, there is a rare blood clotting disorder called Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC), which has a lot of different causes and can be triggered by cancer.
Another factor to consider is the level of anticoagulants in the blood. Anticoagulants are proteins in the blood that normally help to thin it. If you have cancer, you may have lower levels of these proteins which makes you more prone to blood clots. Especially, if you have cancer of the pancreas, bowel, lung, or stomach, you are at a slightly higher risk of developing blood clots and obstructed vascular blood flow. If not treated appropriately, this kind of vascular toxicity can lead to the development of atherogenesis, thrombosis and hypertension.
Importance of Routine Ultrasound Screenings during Chemotherapy
In order to keep patients safe and healthy during the chemotherapy treatment, it is essential to send them for routine Ultrasound screenings throughout the process. Early detection of vascular problems can be crucial in managing their treatment so they can avoid these dangerous side effects.