A 71-year-old patient was diagnosed with a renal cell carcinoma with extension in the IVC. Patient was admitted to the intensive care one day before his planned surgery because of massive pulmonary embolism. Trombolysis was eventually effective and later a radical nephrectomy was successfully performed. Inferior vena caval (IVC) tumor thrombus occurs in 4–10% of patients diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma. These patients have an increased risk of venous thromboembolism. There is no randomized trial investigating the role of anticoagulants in this patient group. Based on expert opinion it is advised to start Low Molecular Weight Heparins (LMWH), in a therapeutic dose, at time of diagnosis up to three to six months following surgery. Based on a literature search on this subject immediate treatment with therapeutic LMWH is recommended in patients with a renal cell carcinoma extending in the IVC.

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doi.org/10.1007/s13629-017-0190-3, hdl.handle.net/1765/109836
Tijdschrift voor Urologie
Department of Urology

van Leeuwen, P., & Verhagen, P. (2018). Case report. Perioperatieve anticoagulantia voor de behandeling van een vena cava inferior tumor trombus bij patiënten met niercelcarcinoom. Tijdschrift voor Urologie, 8, 2–6. doi:10.1007/s13629-017-0190-3