Rivaroxaban in the Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) in Cancer Patients

Inclusion Criteria: * Newly diagnosed and objectively confirmed acute venous thromboembolism * Active malignancy * Life expectancy of at least 6 months * Performance-Status according to Karnofsky Performance Scale ≥ 70 % * Patient's compliance and geographical situation allowing an adequate follow up * platelets ≥ 100.000 /μl, INR \< 1.5, PTT \< 40 sec. * written informed consent of the patient prior to any procedure in connection with the study * male and female patients with an age of at least 18 years Exclusion Criteria: * therapeutic anticoagulation \> 96 hours prior to study treatment * known allergic reactions against the study drugs or the substances included therein * known conditions associated with high risk of bleeding, known history of hemorrhagic diathesis * acute clinically relevant bleeding in the last 2 weeks * any history of spontaneous major/cerebral bleeding * history of heparin induced thrombocytopenia II * pregnant or breast-feeding women. Women of child-bearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test performed \< 7 days prior to start of the treatment * severe renal insufficiency (GFR \< 30 ml/min) * liver disease with coagulation impairment, including Child B and C * cirrhosis * acute medical illness * treatment of the underlying cancer with experimental therapies