Elevated platelet count in patients with endometrial carcinoma: Correlation with selected prognostic factors and with survival

Platelets may play a role in the metastatic process and, among gynecologic malignancies, thrombocytosis has been reported in cervical and ovarian malignancy. The present study was conducted in order to assess the prevalence of thrombocytosis in endometrial carcinoma and to correlate platelet count with prognostic factors and with survival. The prevalence of preoperative thrombocytosis was assessed in 66 endometrial carcinoma patients and their platelet count was correlated with selected prognostic factors and with projected survival. The prevalence of thrombocytosis (greater than or equal to 400 000 mu L(-1)) was low (one of 66 patients) compared with that in cervical and ovarian carcinoma. Nevertheless, a significant (P=0.032) correlation was found between an elevated (greater than or equal to 300 000 mu L(-1)) platelet count and unfavorable grade of differentiation. Patients with an elevated count also had a poorer survival rate and a higher prevalence of older age, high stage and deep myometrial invasion, but this trend did not reach statistical significance. The combination of unfavorable grade and an elevated platelet count had a higher specificity and positive predictive value for deep myometrial invasion than unfavorable grade alone. The prevalence of thrombocytosis in endometrial carcinoma is low. An elevated platelet count may have some prognostic significance, but its ultimate role in endometrial carcinoma remains to be elucidated.