Incidence of cancer among adults with thrombocytosis

The discovery that spontaneous thrombosis was often followed by a diagnosis of cancer was published in 1865 by the French physician Armand Trousseau (1801-1867). A retrospective cohort study among individuals aged 40 to 75 years in Ontario (Canada) found that an increased platelet count was associated with an increased risk of cancer for at least 2 years. The authors conclude that individuals with unexplained thrombocytosis should be offered screening for several cancers.