Objective: To determine if thrombocytosis (platelets > 350,000/microL) is a predictor of malignancy in women with a pelvic mass.
Study design: The charts of 323 patients who presented with a pelvic mass and subsequently underwent an exploratory laparotomy were reviewed for preoperative platelet count and final diagnosis. Thrombocytosis was defined as a platelet count > 350,000/microL. The data were analyzed utilizing the SPSS 6.1 software package (Chicago, Illinois); analysis of variance and chi 2 tests were used for data comparison.
Results: The difference in the platelet counts of patients with malignancy and benign tumors was statistically significant (P < .00001). Eighty-seven patients had cancer; of these, 42 (48.3%) had thrombocytosis. Only 31 (13.8%) patients with benign tumors had thrombocytosis.
Conclusion: High preoperative platelet counts in women presenting with a pelvic mass may predict a final diagnosis of cancer.