title: Thrombocytosis as a predictor of malignancy in women with a pelvic mass.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if thrombocytosis (platelets > 350,000/microL) is a predictor of malignancy in women with a pelvic mass.
  
  
  METHODS
  The charts of 323 patients who presented with a pelvic mass and subsequently underwent an exploratory laparotomy were reviewed for preoperative platelet count and final diagnosis. Thrombocytosis was defined as a platelet count > 350,000/microL. The data were analyzed utilizing the SPSS 6.1 software package (Chicago, Illinois); analysis of variance and chi 2 tests were used for data comparison.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The difference in the platelet counts of patients with malignancy and benign tumors was statistically significant (P < .00001). Eighty-seven patients had cancer; of these, 42 (48.3%) had thrombocytosis. Only 31 (13.8%) patients with benign tumors had thrombocytosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High preoperative platelet counts in women presenting with a pelvic mass may predict a final diagnosis of cancer.
authors: Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ochsner Clinic, 1514 Jefferson Highway, New Orleans, LA 70121, USA.
authors: J T
authors: JT
authors: Kerpsack
authors: M A
authors: MA
authors: Finan
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010386:Pelvic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D010976:Platelet Count; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000097:blood; D011252:Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013922:Thrombocytosis / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor