Cancer of gallbladder with severe thrombocytosis

An autopsy case of severe thrombocytosis associated with cancer of gallbladder is described as the first case in the literature. A 78-year-old male patient was admitted to the hospital with abnormal hepatic functions on August 6, 1975. Laboratory examination revealed platelet count of 5,664,000/cu mm, anemia, leukocytosis and bilirubinemia. Jaundice was progressive and the patient died after a month. Severe thrombocytosis persisted throughout the course. Main autopsy findings were cancer of gallbladder with metastasis to the liver, fibrosis of spleen and purulent bronchopneumonia. A possible mechanism of unusually severe degree of thrombocytosis associated with the present case is discussed in light of the literature.