Blood Clots, DVT and Neuroendocrine Cancer - Be aware.

Last week I woke up with a swollen arm and went to the ER as I was also very weak. I was diagnosed 9/24 with metastatic neuroendocrine cancer in the liver, well-differentiated, non functioning, Ki 6-8%.

No doctor had ever mentioned that a cancer diagnosis increased my risk of blood clots. So assuming that many on this forum would also find this new news.

If you have diabetes, over weight, smoke, high cholesterol, hyper tension, or a woman, your risk is increased in addition to the cancer diagnosis.

I was diagnosed with DVT that is attributed to my metastatic cancer. Outside of being a woman, I have no other contributing factors.

Expected that I will continue to be at risk with metastatic cancer and will be on blood thinner for the rest of my life.

Most of the time it is found in the leg, but mine was the exception to be in the arm.

A Jan 2025 NIH article might be of interest. Conclusions: Venous thromboembolism is a significant complication in NEN patients, especially in advanced or poorly differentiated tumors. Early detection and targeted management are critical for improving outcomes. Pancreatic NENs exhibited the highest thrombotic burden, particularly in poorly differentiated and advanced-stage tumors.

When a blood clot dislodges from its original location and travels to the lungs, where it can block an artery. That condition is very dangerous and can sometimes be fatal.

Blood clots are a very common side effect of cancer. And aside from the cancer itself, they are the second most common cause of death among cancer patients. So, if you think you might be developing one, don’t wait. Contact your care provider right away and get it checked out.

There are a few things you can do to reduce your risk of blood clots.

Sometimes, even otherwise healthy people will notice some ankle swelling if they’ve been sitting in the same position for a long time, like on a transatlantic flight. So, try to avoid long periods of inactivity or immobility. Get up and walk around frequently to keep your blood flowing, whether you’re in your car on a long trip or sitting at your desk or on the sofa.

If you have any injury to your legs or body, be vigilant about watching yourself for symptoms.
If you’re carrying excess body weight, look into weight loss programs.
And if you smoke, quit now.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39857994/