Venous Thromboembolism, also know as a blood clot, is something that cancer patients should be aware. There is now a medicine approved for recurrent blood clots by the Food and Drug Administration called Fragmin. Fragmin is a type of heparin, for long term prevention of blood clots.

Blood clots form when red blood cells, platelets, white blood cells and other blood components form a mass within the blood vessel that can block the flow of blood back to the heart.

Chemotherapy treatments and hormonal treatments can increase the risk of blood clots occurring. Talk to your doctor, especially if you have a personal or family history of blood clots. A blood thinner might be recommended.

Symptoms can include:

• swelling
• warmth
• pain or redness in your legs
• chest pain
• trouble breathing

If you have any of these symptoms call your physician right away.

Pfizer Inc's anti-blood clotting drug Fragmin effectively prevents blood clots in cancer patients. This was stated by a United States advisory panel who believes that the drug warrants further approval. Fragmin is sold for treating clots in various surgical patients. Chemotherapy patients can be prone to blood clots, caused by intravenous lines or the drugs themselves.

A single study showed that patients taking Fragmin had fewer patients experience blood clots. The FDA does have concerns but they usually follow the advice of its advisory panels.

Blood clots can become harmful when they block an artery or vein to stop blood flow. Some symptoms could be pain in the calf or leg muscle, swelling, tenderness, discoloration, or prominent veins.

If you need additional information on blood clots and the currant therapies available you can go to Chemocare.com.