title: Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in a newly diagnosed pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pancreatic adenocarcinoma presenting as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura has not been previously reported in the literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  A newly diagnosed patient with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma developed thrombocytopenic purpura prior to initiation of chemotherapy. Generalized petechiae were present and peripheral smear revealed giant platelets. Drug induced and other thrombotic platelet consuming disorders were ruled out. Her platelets returned to normal after being treated with steroids.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ITP can be associated with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma and can respond well to steroid treatment.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Medicine and Pathology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA.
authors.forename: Arvinder
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bir
authors.forename: Wiam
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bshara
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: George
authors.forename: Marwan G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Fakih
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000166:cytology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D010976:Platelet Count; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*