Patients with cancer hospitalized for an acute medical illness have an increased risk of venous thromboembolic events. Although international guidelines suggest the use of thromboprophylaxis in these patients, the recommendations are based on studies which included a percentage of patients with cancer without primarily focusing on this high risk group.

Since patients with cancer present an increased risk of bleeding complications it is critical to evaluate the safety of thromboprophylaxis in the cancer group. Recent studies suggest a limited use of thromboprophylaxis in these patients.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the use, efficacy and safety of thromboprophylaxis in medical cancer patients hospitalized for an acute medical disease.

Design: observational, prospective study Primary end-point: incidence of major and clinically relevant non major bleeding during hospitalization Secondary endpoints: frequency of use, doses and contraindications for pharmacological thromboprophylaxis; venous thromboembolic events up to three months after discharge

Inclusion Criteria:

• all patients with cancer hospitalized for an acute medical illness

Exclusion Criteria:

• current use of oral or parenteral anticoagulant treatment
• no informed consent to participate

Patients with cancer hospitalized for an acute medical illness