Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of clinically detected deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in patients with trunk or extremity bone or soft tissue sarcomas.

Patients and methods: The clinical records of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of primary bone or soft tissue sarcoma presenting between 1998 and 2003 were reviewed. Data relating to clinical features, risk factors for thromboembolism and clinical thromboembolic events were retrieved.

Results: 252 patients were identified. 94 had a diagnosis of primary bone sarcoma and 158 a diagnosis of primary soft tissue sarcoma. The mean age was 53 (range 15 to 94); 137 (54%) were male.

37 patients were suspected clinically of having a deep venous thrombosis, 10 of which were confirmed radiologically, giving a rate of 4%. Nine patients had a suspected pulmonary embolism, 2 of which were confirmed radiologically and one of whom died of pulmonary embolism, giving an overall rate of fatal pulmonary embolism of 0.4%. All patients with thromboembolic events had lower extremity tumours and all were surgical patients. However, the majority of thromboembolic events (6 of 10 deep venous thromboses and 2 of 3 pulmonary embolisms) occurred prior to surgery.

Discussion: The risk of a clinically apparent thromboembolic event in patients with bone or soft tissue sarcomas is comparable to that in other orthopaedic patients. Risk factors for venous thromboembolism include lower extremity sarcomas and mechanical obstruction of the venous system. Consideration should be given to excluding deep venous thrombosis before surgery.