Research ArticleOriginal Research

Idiopathic Superficial Thrombophlebitis and the Incidence of Cancer in Primary Care Patients

Frederiek F. van Doormaal, Selma Atalay, Henk J. Brouwer, Eit-Frits van der Velde, Harry R. Büller and Henk C. van Weert
The Annals of Family Medicine January 2010, 8 (1) 47-50; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.1058

Article Figures & Data

Tables

  • Table 1.

    SVTP and Incidence of Cancer: Patient Follow-up and Outcomes

    SVTP PatientsControl Group
    Follow-up and OutcomeNo. (%)95% CINo. (%)95% CIAbsolute Difference % (95% CI)
    CI=confidence interval; NA = not applicable; SVTP = superficial venous thrombophlebitis.
    Patients with incomplete follow-up34 (12)8–1684 (15)12–18−3 (−8 to 2)
    Deaths within 24 months after index date16 (6)3–919 (3)2–52 (−1 to 5)
    Patients with newly diagnosed cancer within 24 months after index date5 (2)1–510 (2)1–40 (−2 to 2)
    Recurrent SVTP in patients without cancer at study entry18 (7)4–11NANANA
  • Table 2.

    Malignancies Diagnosed Within 2 Years After the Index Date

    SVTP GroupControl Group
    SVTP=superficial venous thrombophlebitis.
    a N=6 cases.
    b N = 2 cases.
    Myelodysplastic syndromeBreast carcinomaa
    Urothelial cell carcinoma, bladderBronchial carcinoma
    Pancreatic carcinomaUrothelial cell carcinoma, bladder
    Ovarian carcinomaUnknown primary originb
    Gallbladder carcinoma

Additional Files

  • The Article in Brief

    Idiopathic Superficial Thrombophlebitis and the Incidence of Cancer in Primary Care Patients

    Frederiek F. van Doormaal , and colleagues

    Background It is commonly believed that superficial venous thrombophlebitis (SVTP), or superficial blood clots, is associated with accompanying cancer. This study examines the incidence of cancer during a 2-year follow up period after a first episode of SVTP in a large general practice population.

    What This Study Found Researchers found no increased incidence of cancer after a first episode of unprovoked SVTP. In this study, during the 2-year observation period after an episode of unprovoked SVTP, the rate of cancer was 2 percent, compared with 2 percent in a control group. Recurrent SVTP was not common in the study sample.

    Implications

    • A first episode of unprovoked SVTP diagnosed by a family physician is not associated with an increased risk of cancer in the next 2 years.
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