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Diseases & Conditions


(Also Called 'Essential Thrombocythemia')

Thrombocytosis is a condition in which there is an excessive number of platelets in the blood. Platelets are blood cells in plasma that stop bleeding by sticking together to form a clot. Too many platelets can lead to certain conditions, including stroke, heart attack, or a clot in the blood vessels.

There are two types of thrombocytosis: primary and secondary. Primary thrombocytosis, also known as essential thrombocythemia (or ET), is a disease in which abnormal cells in the bone marrow cause an increase in platelets. The cause is unknown.

Secondary thrombocytosis is caused by another condition the patient may be suffering from, such as:

  • anemia due to iron deficiency
  • cancer
  • inflammation or infection
  • surgery, especially splenectomy (removal of the spleen)

What are the symptoms of thrombocytosis?

Most patients do not experience any symptoms of an increased platelet count. When symptoms do appear, they can include skin bruising or bleeding from various sites such as the nose, mouth, and gums, or the stomach and intestinal tract. Abnormal blood clotting can also occur, leading to stroke, heart attack, and unusual clots in the blood vessels of the abdomen.

How is thrombocytosis diagnosed?

Finding the underlying condition (such as iron deficiency anemia, cancer, or infection) can aid in the diagnosis and management of thrombocytosis. If no secondary cause is identified, the patient is presumed to have ET. A blood test for a specific gene, called JAK2, is diagnostic of the disorder, but positive in only about 50% of the cases. The patient may have to undergo bone marrow aspiration (removal and examination of bone marrow) and other blood tests to confirm the diagnosis.

How is thrombocytosis treated?



What is the natural history of thrombocytosis?

Secondary thrombocytosis subsides when the underlying process causing the elevated platelet count resolves (treatment of infection, recovery from surgery, etc.) Even though the platelet count is elevated for a short time, secondary thrombocytosis does not typically lead to abnormal blood clotting.

Primary thrombocytosis, or essential thrombocythemia, can cause serious bleeding or clotting complications. These can usually be avoided by maintaining good control of the platelet count with medications. After many years, however, bone marrow fibrosis (scarring) can develop. Transformation of the disease to leukemia occurs in a small percentage of patients.



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