title: Hypercoagulation in colorectal cancer: what can platelet indices tell us?
abstract: Colorectal cancer, as all solid malignancies, is accompanied by changes in the haemostatic mechanism favoring the establishment of a thrombotic potential, with platelets playing a key-role in this framework; they further link colorectal cancer progression and hypercoagulation with the immune-response against the neoplastic spread. Under this rationale, various studies have assessed the use of platelet indices as prognostic markers of the biological behavior of colorectal cancer, demonstrating significant results. We herein attempt to summarize in a narrative and critical approach the relevant available data and the underlying pathophysiology, stressing the necessity of a more thorough understanding and future implementation of platelet indices in all stages of care we deliver to colorectal cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Colorectal Surgery, Good Hope Hospital, Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust , Birmingham , UK.
authors.forename: Charalampos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Seretis
authors.forename: Haney
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Youssef
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chapman
mesh_terms: D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D010976:Platelet Count; D011379:Prognosis; D019851:Thrombophilia / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology*
keywords: Cancer; coagulation; colorectal; metastasis; platelet