Unprovoked venous thromboembolism in women over 40: is screening for occult malignancy with mammography and abdominopelvic CT of benefit?

Aim: To determine imaging and pathological outcomes in cases of unprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE) referred for mammogram. A secondary objective was to elucidate outcomes of abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT) imaging performed in this cohort.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective review of mammograms performed in cases of unprovoked VTE was undertaken from January 2016 to September 2019. Patient notes and imaging were reviewed to establish patient demographics, additional imaging required, biopsies performed, pathology findings, and eventual outcomes. Cases were reviewed to determine if concurrent CT abdomen/pelvis was performed to screen for malignancy. Outcomes of CT were recorded.

Results: One hundred and thirty-nine women attended for screening mammogram following unprovoked VTE during the study period. Mean patient age was 68 years (range 42-89 years). Fourteen women (10%) were recalled for further breast imaging, with two cases of confirmed malignancy (1.4%). Of the 139 women, 118 also underwent CT imaging, with 18 patients (15%) recalled for further investigations. Two (1.7%) cases of malignancy (lung and ovarian) were identified.

Conclusion: A low cancer detection rate was demonstrated in women undergoing mammography or CT following unprovoked VTE. In addition, the high number of false-positive findings and need for additional investigations questions the value of screening in this setting. Based on these findings, Cambridge Breast Unit has ceased mammographic and abdominopelvic CT imaging in women with unprovoked VTE, anticipating the newly updated National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.