Thrombocytopenia and pancreatic carcinoma

More and more physicians are finding increasing evidence of carcinoma-related immune-mediated platelet destruction. Such is the case of the patient with carcinoma of the exocrine pancreas associated with profound thrombocytopenia that follows. The patient died before studies could be completed. However, well-recognized causes of drug reactions, DIC, chemotherapy and marrow infiltration were able to be excluded. Although anti-platelet antibodies weren't isolated in the serum, the patient's response to steroids and its similarity to other cases with evidence of carcinoma-related immune-mediated platelet destruction makes this process most likely in the case presented.