Incidence and Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients With Resectable Pancreatic Cancer Receiving Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

Background/Aim: Pancreatic cancer has the highest risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Additionally, chemotherapy for cancer patients increases the risk of developing VTE. Due to recent advances in neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) regimens, more patients with resectable pancreatic cancer will receive NAC. However, the incidence, risk, and predictors of developing VTE in these patients have not been fully evaluated. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the incidence, risk, and predictors of VTE among 67 consecutive patients with resectable pancreatic cancer who received neoadjuvant combination therapy with gemcitabine+S-1 (NAC-GS) followed by surgery and 45 patients with resectable pancreatic cancer who underwent upfront surgery (Up-S). Results: The incidence of VTE in the NAC-GS and Up-S groups was 10.4% and 6.6%, respectively. Preoperative D-dimer levels were significantly higher in the NAC-GS group, and D-dimer levels were significantly increased during NAC-GS. Preoperative D-dimer level was the only predictor for VTE in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer who received NAC-GS. Conclusion: There is an increased risk of developing VTE during NAC. Screening with D-dimer and taking appropriate measures to suppress critical VTE is essential to provide NAC to patients with resectable pancreatic cancer.

Automated summary

Pancreatic cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy have an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). This study retrospectively evaluated the incidence, risk, and predictors of VTE in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery. The results showed that preoperative D-dimer level was the only predictor for VTE in these patients.