The effect of anticoagulants on oral squamous cell carcinoma: A systematic review.

ABSTRACT

Tumour progression allows for aberrant angiogenesis. Consequently, cancer-associated thrombosis is a prevalent complication that is coupled with poor prognosis. Anticoagulants have therefore been prescribed with chemotherapeutic agents to target potential thrombo-embolic risk. A systematic review was carried out to summarise existing evidence on the interactions between anticoagulants and oral cancer. This treatment paradigm has demonstrated beneficial results in some oncology patients, thus associating anticoagulants with anticancer effects. Increasing prevalence of oral cancer presents a need to source alternative therapeutic means to prevent disease progression, and thus the use of anticoagulants in these patients may provide an avenue for this to occur. The paucity of evidence regarding the interactions between oral squamous cell carcinoma and anticoagulants emphasises the urgency with which further research should be conducted.