Published online Feb 15, 2014. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v6.i2.34
Revised: December 21, 2013
Accepted: January 6, 2014
Published online: February 15, 2014
Thrombocytosis is an adverse prognostic factor in many types of cancer. These include breast cancer, ovarian and other gynecologic cancers, renal cell carcinoma and lung cancers. In gastrointestinal cancers of various locations and histologic types, thrombocytosis has been reported in general to be associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Platelet count measurement is well standardized and available in every clinical laboratory, making its use as a prognostic marker practical. This paper will discuss the data on the prognostic value of thrombocytosis in gastrointestinal cancers as well as pathogenic aspects of the association that strengthen the case for its use in clinical prognostication.
Core tip: Thrombocytosis arises as a prognostic factor in various cancers, although it is not clear whether there is a pathogenic contribution or thrombocytosis merely reflects a pro-carcinogenic inflammatory milieu. This paper discusses the utility of thrombocytosis as a prognostic factor in gastrointestinal cancers.