The current special issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology focuses on cancer and thrombosis, with included articles addressing a range of issues, from the prevention, diagnosis, assessment and treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with cancer, to the role of genetics and the potential for use of new antithrombotic drugs in oncology.  This article is an overview of this area, covering:

• Cancer and thrombosis
• Risk of VTE in patients with cancer
• Adverse consequences of VTE in patients with cancer
• Prophylaxis of VTE in patients with cancer
• Anticoagulation as cancer treatment to improve survival
• Guidelines for the treatment and prevention of VTE