Thrombocytosis - Causes and Symptoms

Definition

Thrombocytosis is the increase in the number of circulating platelets compared to the normal rate. This condition can be observed during myeloproliferative syndromes (such as polycythemia vera and essential thrombocytopenia) and various haematological pathologies (including chronic myeloid leukemia, iron deficiency anemia and myelodysplasia).

Thrombocytosis can be secondary to acute inflammatory disorders (eg infectious diseases, allergies, Kawasaki disease and some vasculitis) and chronic (rheumatoid arthritis, chronic enteropathies, Wegener's granulomatosis, sarcoidosis, osteomyelitis, osteoporosis and tuberculosis).

Other causes include asplenic conditions (including splenectomy and splenic thrombosis), acute trauma hemorrhages, coagulopathies, haemolysis in congenital or acquired hemolytic anemias, polyglobulia secondary to renal or cardiac pathology, and tissue necrosis from bone fractures, surgery or heart attacks organ.

Thrombocytosis can also be found in certain physiopathological conditions, such as hypoxia, intense exercise, post-operative stress, ovulation, pregnancy and puerperium. There are also congenital familial forms that can be traced to mutations in the thrombopoietin gene and its receptor.

Sometimes, thrombocytosis can also be associated with neoplasms, such as lymphomas, mesotheliomas and carcinomas of the lung, stomach, breast and ovary.

In the presence of thrombocytosis, platelet function is generally normal and does not increase the risk of thrombotic and / or hemorrhagic complications, except in cases where patients do not have a severe arterial disease or are in a state of prolonged immobility. Treatment of the underlying pathological condition usually shows the normal platelet count.