J Korean Cancer Assoc.  2000 Dec;32(6):1093-1099.

Risk Factors in Anticancer Chemotherapy Induced Thrombocytopenia Requiring Platelet Transfusion

• Lee JH
• Hahn JS
• Park Q
• Ko YW

Abstract

PURPOSE: Severe thrombocytopenia is a rare but life threatening side effect of anticancer chemotherapy. This study is for delineating risk factors for anticancer chemotherapy induced thrombocytopenia requiring platelet transfusion in cancer patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Ninety seven cases of cancers (stomach cancer 37, lung cancer 31 and breast cancer 29) were included in this study design. Complete blood cell counts were done at day 1 and then twice a week to find lowerest thrombocyte count in each cycle. Discriminant analysis of risk factors for chemotherapy induced thrombocytopenia requiring platelet transfusion were performed.
RESULTS
Anticancer chemotherapy induced thrombocytopenia less than 150,000/ microliter developed in 18 cases (20.0%) at day 20.6 8.0 and mean platelet count was 111,060 35,360/ microliter. Thrombocytopenia less than 100,000/ microliter developed in 10 cases (10.3%) at day 20.2 6.9 and mean platelet count was 56,200 30,460/ microliter. Among them platelet transfusions were needed in 6 cases (6.2%). Using discrininant analysis, day 1 platelet count less than 150,000/ microliter with total lymphocyte count less than 900/ microliter were identified as risk factors for anticancer chemotherapy induced thrombocytopenia requiring platelet transfusion.
CONCLUSION
Thrombocytopenia less than 150,000 microliter with total lymphocyte count less than 900/ microliter before administrating anticancer drugs are high risk factors for platelet transfusion, and needed proper managements.

Keyword

Anticancer chemotherapy; Thrombocytopenia; Risk factors

MeSH Terms

Blood Cell Count
Blood Platelets*
Breast Neoplasms
Drug Therapy*
Humans
Lung Neoplasms
Lymphocyte Count
Platelet Count
Platelet Transfusion*
Risk Factors*
Thrombocytopenia*