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Platelet Count and Survival after Cancer
Vasily Giannakeas1,2,3, Joanne Kotsopoulos1,2, Jennifer D Brooks2
1Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON M5S 1B2, Canada.
Cancers
|February 15, 2022
Summary
High platelet counts are linked to increased cancer death rates, while low counts may improve survival. This finding suggests platelet count could aid in cancer risk stratification.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Hematology
Background:
- Thrombocytosis, or high platelet count, is linked to cancer progression.
- The association between platelet count and cancer survival remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between platelet count and cancer-specific survival.
- To determine if platelet count can serve as a risk stratification tool for cancer patients.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study of 112,231 adult cancer patients in Ontario diagnosed between 2007-2016.
- Patients were categorized by platelet count (low, medium, high) based on complete blood count (CBC) within 30 days of diagnosis.
- Cancer-specific death was tracked from diagnosis date.
Main Results:
- A high platelet count was associated with a 52% increased rate of cancer-specific death (HR 1.52).
- A low platelet count was associated with a 9% decreased rate of cancer-specific death (HR 0.91).
- These associations were observed relative to patients with medium platelet counts.
Conclusions:
- Platelet count is significantly associated with cancer survival outcomes.
- Low platelet counts correlate with better survival, while high counts indicate poorer survival.
- Platelet count may be a valuable biomarker for cancer patient risk stratification.
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