Thrombocytosis Associated with Malignant Ovarian Lesions within a Pediatric/Adolescent Population

Abstract 

Study Objective

To determine if there is an association between pediatric ovarian malignancies and elevated platelet counts:

Design

Retrospective chart review.

Setting

Large referral children's hospital.

Participants

154 patients taken to the operating room between February 1993 and February 2006 with an adnexal mass where ovarian tissue was submitted for pathological analysis.

Main Outcome Measures

The principle outcome was the presence of ovarian malignancy.

Results

We found that there is an increase in thrombocytosis among individuals with ovarian malignancy, with as high as 33% of those with ovarian germ cell tumors demonstrating preoperative thrombocytosis.

Conclusion

These results suggest that thrombocytosis may be a useful marker for ovarian malignancy in this population. Further studies will be needed to determine if there is any prognostic value to thrombocytosis among these patients, with a potential value for counseling and future intervention based on these findings.

Key Words: Ovarian Cancer, Thrombocytosis, Pediatric tumors, Tumor markers, Platelets