What’s in a Number? Examining the Prognostic and Predictive Importance of Platelet Count in Patients With Essential Thrombocythemia

Authors:
Andrew T. Kuykendall H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida.

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Rami Komrokji H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida.

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Volume/Issue:
Volume 18: Issue 9
Online Publication Date:
Sep 2020
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.6004/jnccn.2020.7595
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Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by clonal overproduction of platelets and an increased risk of thrombohemorrhagic complications. Patients are risk stratified by driver mutation, age, and thrombotic history and treated to reduce the risk of thrombotic and hemorrhagic events. The significance of platelet number as a risk factor or treatment goal is unclear. Despite the preponderance of data failing to demonstrate an association, there exists a pervasive belief that higher platelet counts correlate with an increased thrombotic risk. In fact, the association between thrombocytosis and bleeding is more clearly supported. Variability in regional consensus guidelines contributes to the uncertainty. This article reviews the data that shed light on the importance of platelet count in patients with ET.

Submitted January 21, 2020; accepted for publication May 21, 2020.

Disclosures: The authors have disclosed that they have no financial interests, arrangements, or affiliations with the manufacturers of any products discussed in this article or their competitors

Correspondence: Andrew T. Kuykendall, MD, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, 12902 USF Magnolia Drive, COB 7th Floor, Tampa, FL 33612. Email: Andrew.Kuykendall@moffitt.org
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Print ISSN:
1540-1405
Online ISSN:
1540-1413
Publisher:
National Comprehensive Cancer Network
Cover Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network
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Copyright:
Copyright © 2020 by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 2020
Page Numbers:
6
Article Category:
Review Article
Received:
21 Jan 2020
Accepted:
21 May 2020
Print Publication Date:
01 Sep 2020
Online Publication Date:
Sep 2020

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