At present, one out of ten patients with ischemic stroke has also an established oncological diagnosis and this frequency is expected to rise with the continuing success and progress in diagnosing cancer and as a direct result from the treatment, which in its turn prolongs the life of those patients. The heightened quality of life is one of the major targets for the team managing oncological patients. The present studies show that the recurring clinical and subclinical strokes worsen the performance status of the patient—as they are the leading cause of disability and death among the oncological patients and the general population. The advancements in the screening, establishing the diagnosis, and treating the oncological condition have led to more and more patients with an increased five-year survival rate. This on the other hand increases the number of patients susceptible to a higher risk of ischemic strokes—both due to the risk factors of the general population and the cancer-specific risk factors related to the tumor itself, its management and treatment. The established direct relation between venous thrombosis and oncological conditions points towards a risk factor for arterial thromboembolism, including ischemic strokes. With the higher volume of gathered information, both from management and follow-up of cancer patients and survivors and from autopsies, the main focus has shifted from venous thromboembolism to the more dramatic arterial events. Even so, the intrinsic mechanisms are undetermined. In addition, the optimal strategies for prevention and active treatment are not well established. This literature review aims at systematic analysis on the prevention and treatment of oncological patients with ischemic strokes with focus on the possible strategies for facing the problem.
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