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Thrombocytosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

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Abstract

Background

Thrombocytopenia has been reported to be both a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development as well as a prognostic factor. Many HCCs also occur in presence of normal platelets.

Aim

To examine a cohort of HCC patients with associated thrombocytosis.

Methods

Records were examined of a cohort of 634 biopsy-proven and randomly presenting HCC patients without thrombocytopenia.

Results

In the total cohort, 52 patients were identified with thrombocytosis (platelet levels >400 × 109/L) and compared with 582 patients with normal platelet values. The average tumor sizes were 13.1 versus 8.8 cm (p < 0.0001), and their total average bilirubin levels were 0.9 versus 1.5 (p = 0.02), comparing thrombocytosis patients versus normal platelet count HCC patients. These differences were even more pronounced in patients with HCC sizes >5 cm. Thrombocytosis patients were younger and had less cirrhosis, but similar percent with hepatitis B or C or alcohol consumption.

Conclusion

Thrombocytosis in association with HCC occurs in patients with larger tumor sizes and better liver function.

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Abbreviations

HCC:

Hepatocellular carcinoma

AFP:

Alpha-fetoprotein

PVT:

Portal vein thrombosis

Hgb:

Hemoglobin

Plts:

Platelets

WBC:

White blood count

GGTP:

Gamma glutamyltranspeptidase

PT:

Prothrombin time

M:

Mean

SD:

Standard deviation

CAT:

Computerized axial tomography

K:

× 103

Platelet units:

× 109/L

Bilirubin values :

mg/dL

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutritional Carcinogenesis, IRCCS “S. de Bellis”, National Institute for Digestive Diseases, Via Turi 27, 70013, Castellana Grotte, BA, Italy

    Brian I. Carr & Vito Guerra

  2. Department of Epidemiology, IRCCS “S. de Bellis”, National Institute for Digestive Diseases, Castellana Grotte, Italy

    Brian I. Carr & Vito Guerra

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  1. Brian I. Carr
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  2. Vito Guerra
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Correspondence to Brian I. Carr.

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Carr, B.I., Guerra, V. Thrombocytosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Dig Dis Sci 58, 1790–1796 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-012-2527-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-012-2527-3

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