ENDOSCOPIC SCREENING OF GASTROESOPHAGEAL CANCER IN PATIENTS WITH IDIOPATHIC DEEP VENOUS THROMBOSIS

Abstract

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common manifestation in patients with cancer and may appear as the first manifestation of the disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of tumors of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum by endoscopy and biopsy in patients with idiopathic DVT. In retrospective cohort study records of 124 patients diagnosed with idiopathic DVT, for whom upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy, biopsy and histopathological studies were requested during the same hospitalization or during the outpatient clinic follow up, were evaluated. Malignancies were identified in 4.8% cases: 3.2% gastric cancer and 1.6% esophageal cancer. Barrett's esophagus was diagnosed in 1.6% of patients. The examination identified benign lesions in 59.7% of patients and in 33.9% of the subjects it was normal. Endoscopic Screening for gastroesophageal cancer is recommended in all patients with idiopathic deep venous thrombosis in particular when they are older than 50 years old.

Keywords: Deep Vein Thrombosis, Cancer, Esophageal Neoplasms, Endoscopy, Age