Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2026
08:45
New Thrombectomy Technique for Total Portal Vein Thrombosis in Liver Transplantation
Published on: June 27, 2025
Thrombocytosis and hepatocellular carcinoma
1Department of Nutritional Carcinogenesis, IRCCS S. de Bellis, National Institute for Digestive Diseases, Via Turi 27, 70013, Castellana Grotte, BA, Italy. brianicarr@hotmail.com
Digestive Diseases and Sciences
|January 15, 2013
Summary
Thrombocytosis, elevated platelets, is linked to larger hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumors and better liver function in patients. This contrasts with thrombocytopenia, low platelets, which is a known risk factor for HCC development.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Oncology
- Hematology
Background:
- Thrombocytopenia is a known risk factor and prognostic factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
- However, many HCC cases occur with normal platelet counts, suggesting a complex relationship.
- This study investigates the less-explored association between thrombocytosis and HCC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine a cohort of HCC patients with associated thrombocytosis.
- To compare characteristics of HCC patients with thrombocytosis versus those with normal platelet counts.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 634 biopsy-proven HCC patients.
- Patients were selected without thrombocytopenia.
- Comparison between 52 patients with thrombocytosis (platelets >400 × 10(9)/L) and 582 with normal platelet counts.
Main Results:
- Patients with HCC and thrombocytosis had significantly larger average tumor sizes (13.1 cm vs. 8.8 cm).
- Thrombocytosis was associated with better liver function, indicated by lower average bilirubin levels (0.9 vs. 1.5).
- These differences were more pronounced in patients with larger tumors (>5 cm); thrombocytosis patients were younger and had less cirrhosis.
Conclusions:
- Thrombocytosis in HCC patients is associated with larger tumor size.
- This condition also correlates with better liver function.
- The findings suggest thrombocytosis may indicate a specific HCC subgroup with distinct clinical characteristics.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:24Disorders of Hemostasis
Hemostasis, the process that stops bleeding after a blood vessel injury, is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the circulatory system. However, disorders of hemostasis can disrupt this delicate balance, leading to either excessive clotting or bleeding. These disorders can be broadly classified into thromboembolic disorders and bleeding disorders.
Thromboembolic Disorders
Two factors primarily cause thromboembolic conditions.
Thromboembolic Disorders
Two factors primarily cause thromboembolic conditions.
01:24Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology
Cirrhosis is a progressive chronic liver injury caused by prolonged inflammation, excessive fibrotic remodeling, and impaired regeneration. Over time, repeated hepatic insults disrupt the liver’s architecture and function, leading to reduced blood flow, impaired bile drainage, and diminished metabolic capacity.Pathophysiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis arises from three main responses to chronic liver damage: inflammation, immune activation, and hepatocyte death. These processes lead to structural...
01:22Portal Hypertension
Portal hypertension is an increase in blood pressure within the portal venous system. Normally, this pressure is less than 5 mmHg. It is considered clinically significant when it rises above 10 mmHg. At this threshold, complications from altered blood flow and venous congestion emerge.EtiologyPortal hypertension arises from conditions that impede blood flow through the liver. The most common cause is cirrhosis, in which chronic liver injury leads to fibrotic scarring. This fibrosis narrows or...
01:25Hepatitis
Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver most commonly caused by hepatotropic viruses (A–E), though non-infectious causes such as alcohol and drugs also exist.Hepatitis AHepatitis A virus (HAV) is a non-enveloped RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family. It is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, typically through ingestion of contaminated food or water. After ingestion, HAV enters the bloodstream through the oropharynx or intestinal epithelium and reaches the liver. The...
01:30Venous Thrombosis I: Introduction
Venous thrombosis, the most common disorder of the veins, involves the formation of a thrombus or blood clot associated with vein inflammation. It can be classified as either superficial vein thrombosis or deep vein thrombosis.Superficial Vein Thrombosis: This involves the formation of a thrombus in a superficial vein, usually the greater or lesser saphenous vein. Though less severe than deep vein thrombosis (DVT), SVT can lead to complications if untreated.Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): This...
01:21Hepatic Portal System
The hepatic portal system, a critical part of our circulatory framework, transports nutrient-laden, deoxygenated blood from the gastrointestinal tract and spleen to the liver. This ingenious system plays an indispensable role in maintaining our body's metabolic equilibrium.
At its core, the hepatic portal vein is the result of a confluence of the superior and inferior mesenteric veins along with the splenic vein. Each of these veins has a unique role. The superior mesenteric vein is responsible...
At its core, the hepatic portal vein is the result of a confluence of the superior and inferior mesenteric veins along with the splenic vein. Each of these veins has a unique role. The superior mesenteric vein is responsible...