Table 1.

Risk factors for thromboembolic events in malignant glioma patients

Patient Factors

Age (especially >75)4

ABO bloodtype (A, AB)13

Prior deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism

Leg paresis, prolonged immobility2,6

Multiple medical comorbidities

Obesity

Glioma-associated Factors

Tumor grade (high > low-grade glioma)3,4

Intraluminal thrombosis in surgical specimen15

Recurrent disease

Tumour size (>5 cm)3,4

Post-operative residual disease (biopsy>partial>gross total resection)14

Treatment-associated factors

Post-operative period

Chemotherapy61

VEGF targeted treatment38

Hormonal therapy

Venous access devices

Possible biomarkers

Thrombocytosis, anemia, leukocytosis62–64

Activated coagulation factors (D-dimers, thrombin-antithrombin complexes)62

Biomarkers to be evaluated further

Tissue Factor (antigen, activity levels, circulated microparticles)31,32

Molecular phenotype (EGFRviii overexpression, PTEN loss or mutation)