A case of essential thrombocytemia complicated by gastric cancer

• Published in: Nihon Rinsho Geka Gakkai Zasshi (Journal of Japan Surgical Association) Vol. 69; no. 11; pp. 2872 - 2876
• Main Authors: TOKURA, Masaaki, SEIMA, Yoshihiko, UESAKA, Kunio, SUGIMOTO, Takemi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan Surgical Association 2008
• ISSN: 1345-2843; 1882-5133
• DOI: 10.3919/jjsa.69.2872

We report here a case of essential thrombocytemia (ET) with an advanced gastric cancer complication. She was a 78-year-old woman. Her upper endoscopic etamination 10 years earlier did not reveal any gastric cancer. Her case has met the diagnostic criteria for ET. ET is a rare disease, and is sometimes complicated with thrombosis and/or bleeding. These may be caused by the platelet count and/or its functional failure. The complication may also occur due to transformation to acute leukemia or some other type of chronic myeloproliferative disorder (CMPD). However, the frequency of complication by gastric cancer is thought to be similar to its general occurrence. We could manage for hyper-function or the platelet increase with the drugs for each purpose, but not for bleeding. In this case, though sometimes the platelet count exceeded 2 million/mm3, she showed no signs of thrombosis or bleeding. But when the platelet count was over 2 million/mm3, Ramunistin was administered. Though no bleeding or thrombotic complications were involved in the operation for gastric cancer in this case, it is important to observe carefully the postoperative course and to prepare for acute change such as thrombosis and bleeding.