The Use of Inferior Vena Cava Filters before Surgery in Women with Ovarian Cancer with the Initial Symptom of Deep Venous Thrombosis: Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

Venous thromboembolism is a frequent complication of gynecologic cancer, and may be the first symptom of occult malignant disease. Although anticoagulation therapy remains the standard of care in patients presenting with acute venous thromboembolism, inferior vena cava filters are an important alternative when anticoagulants are contraindicated or ineff ective. We report a case of a 69-year-old women who presented with left leg swelling secondary to deep venous thrombosis before the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Th e aim of this study is to review the respective literature and report our experience with inferior vena cava fi lter placement to prevent pulmonary embolism in gynecologic cancer patients.

Keywords

• Venous thromboembolism
• Vena cava filters
• Anticoagulants – therapeutic use
• Venous thrombosis
• Ovarian neoplasms – complications
• Pulmonary embolism