Does platelet index examination provide clinical benefit in coexistence of pulmonary thromboembolism and cancer?

Does platelet index examination provide clinical benefit in coexistence of pulmonary thromboembolism and cancer? Background: The value of D-dimer test varies with variable platelet functions and numbers in patients with cancer. From this poitn, in this study, we aimed to investigate the hypothesis that platelet functions may be more usefull in the prediction and diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) rather than the number of platelets in patients with cancer. Methods: The clinical, radiological and laboratory findings of all patients diagnosed with PTE were retrieved retrospectively. Comparisons were performed between “cancer” and “cancer-free” patients. The patients were also evaluated according to their status of "active cancer" or "in remission". Results: The data of 232 patients (172 were cancer-free and 60 cancer ptients) with PTE were reviewed. The mean values of D-dimer, mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW) were found to be significantly higher in patients with cancer. On the other hand, mean platelet counts were significantly higher in patients without cancer (figure 1). The mean values of D-dimer, Troponin-I, MPV and PDW were found to be significantly higher in patients with active cancer. However, the mean platelet counts were significantly higher in patients with cancer in remission (figure 2). Conclusions: The morphological characteristics of the platelets are more determinant than the number of platelets in cancer patients with PTE. Platelet indexes such as MPV and PDW may be useful in the diagnosis of PTE in patients with cancer.