Recommendations to balance benefits and risks of thromboprophylaxis and to avoid central venous-access devices during first-line chemotherapy in men with metastatic germ cell tumors: The European Association Of Urology Testicular Cancer Panel Position in 2021

Abstract

Recent randomized controlled trials have assessed the risksand benefits of thromboprophylaxis in ambulatory cancerpatients receiving chemotherapy and reported a relativerisk reduction of 30–60% in venous thromboembolic events(VTEs) but a doubling of bleeding risk [1–4]. Based on theseresults, the most recent American Society of ClinicalOncology clinical practice guideline update recommendsthromboprophylaxis with apixaban, rivaroxaban, or low-molecular–weight heparin (LMWH) for cancer patientswith a high risk of VTE and low risk of bleeding [5]. Patientswith metastatic germ-cell tumor (mGCT) were under-represented in all trials and thus it is not clear whether thisrecommendation applies to this group, although retrospec-tive data suggests similar efficacy of VTE prophylaxis.