What does thrombocytosis mean in a blood test?
Thrombocytosis is a condition in which there are an excessive number of platelets in the blood. Platelets are blood cells in plasma that stop bleeding by sticking together to form a clot. Too many platelets can lead to certain conditions, such as stroke, heart attack or a clot in the blood vessels.
What causes high platelets and high white blood cells?
High WBC counts often occur in conditions such as chronic inflammation or myeloproliferative disorders. Low numbers of platelets can be evident in disorders like immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Conditions associated with high platelet counts can include reactive thrombocytosis or essential thrombocythemia.
How do you evaluate thrombocytosis?
A complete blood cell count (CBC) is essential for the diagnosis of essential thrombocytosis. CBC findings are as follows: The hallmark of essential thrombocytosis (primary thrombocythemia) is a sustained, unexplained elevation in the platelet count. Leukocytosis, erythrocytosis, and mild anemia may also be found.
What are the symptoms of thrombocytosis?
Symptoms of thrombocythemia include:
- Blood clots in arteries and veins, most often in the hands, feet, and brain.
- Bruising easily.
- Bleeding from the nose, gums, and GI (gastrointestinal) tract.
- Bloody stools.
- Bleeding after injury or surgery.
- Weakness.
- Headache and dizziness.
- Swollen lymph nodes.
What cancers cause thrombocytosis?
Thrombocytosis is an adverse prognostic factor in many types of cancer. These include breast cancer, ovarian and other gynecologic cancers, renal cell carcinoma and lung cancers.
What infections cause elevated platelets?
Inflammatory disorders: Diseases that cause an inflammatory immune response, such as rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), can increase platelet count. A person will have other symptoms in most cases. Infections: Some infections, such as tuberculosis, can cause high platelets.
Is thrombocytosis a chronic condition?
Essential thrombocythemia is a chronic disease with no cure. If you have a mild form of the disease, you may not need treatment. If you have severe symptoms, you may need medicine that lowers your platelet count, blood thinners or both.
What happens if platelet count is too high?
A high platelet count can cause blood clots to develop spontaneously. Normally, your blood begins to clot to prevent a massive loss of blood after an injury. In people with primary thrombocythemia, however, blood clots can form suddenly and for no apparent reason. Abnormal blood clotting can be dangerous.
How long can you live with thrombocytosis?
The life expectancy of patients with essential thrombocytosis (primary thrombocythemia) is nearly that of the healthy population. Median survival is approximately 20 years. For patients younger than age 60 years, median survival is 33 years.
Does thrombocytosis cause leukemia?
Essential Thrombocythemia (ET) On average, individuals with ET have a normal life expectancy if they are properly monitored and treated. In a small number of patients, the disease may transform to myelofibrosis, acute myeloid leukemia or, less frequently, myelodysplastic syndrome.
Can a high platelet count be a sign of thrombocytosis?
If another disease, condition, or factor is causing a high platelet count, the diagnosis is secondary thrombocytosis. Your doctor may recommend one or more of the following tests to help diagnose a high platelet count. A complete blood count (CBC) measures the levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in your blood.
What’s the difference between essential and secondary thrombocytosis?
Treatment and outlook for secondary thrombocytosis depend on its underlying cause. Essential thrombocythemia. This term is used when a high platelet count occurs alone (that is, without other blood cell disorders). Idiopathic (id-ee-o-PATH-ick) thrombocythemia. Primary or essential thrombocytosis (these are less favored terms).
How does a doctor diagnose thrombocythemia or leukemia?
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood cells. Your doctor will diagnose thrombocythemia or thrombocytosis based on your medical history, a physical exam, and test results. A hematologist also may be involved in your care.
What are the results of a peripheral blood smear?
The peripheral blood smear shows leukocytosis with mild neutrophilia (8,400/mcL) and no circulating blasts. Anisopoikilocytosis with macrocytic RBCs and occasional teardrop cells are seen.