Thrombocytosis associated with malignant ovarian lesions within a pediatric/adolescent population.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine if there is an association between pediatric ovarian malignancies and elevated platelet counts:

DESIGN: Retrospective chart review.

SETTING: Large referral children's hospital.

PARTICIPANTS: 154 patients taken to the operating room between February 1993 and February 2006 with an adnexal mass where ovarian tissue was submitted for pathological analysis.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The principle outcome was the presence of ovarian malignancy.

RESULTS: We found that there is an increase in thrombocytosis among individuals with ovarian malignancy, with as high as 33% of those with ovarian germ cell tumors demonstrating preoperative thrombocytosis.

CONCLUSION: These results suggest that thrombocytosis may be a useful marker for ovarian malignancy in this population. Further studies will be needed to determine if there is any prognostic value to thrombocytosis among these patients, with a potential value for counseling and future intervention based on these findings.