BACKGROUND: Thrombocytosis in patients with cancer is reportedly associated with an increased expression of angiogenic factors and a poor prognosis in some cancer types. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinicopathological significance and prognostic value of platelet counts in patients with gastric cancer.METHODS: Preoperative platelet counts were measured in 306 patients with gastric cancer who underwent surgery between 2001 and 2010.We used the cut-off level of 250.9?10(3) mL (mean) to define thrombocytosis and then analyzed the correlation between platelet count and clinicopathological factors. The multivariate prognostic value was determined using the Cox proportional hazards model.RESULTS: Platelet counts were significantly elevated in patients with lymph node metastasis (p=0.0349) and pStage ?disease (p=0.0326). Adjusting for venous invasion and pStage, multivariate analysis indicated that thrombocytosis as defined in this study was an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio=1.50, 95%CI: 1.07-2.36, p=0.0402).CONCLUSION: A high platelet count is associated with tumor progression and poor survival in patients with gastric cancer.
Aged Female