Platelet count is associated with outcome in cancer patients with stroke

Introduction

Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and cancer are among the most common causes of mortality worldwide, preceded only by ischemic heart disease (IHD). Thrombocytopenia was shown to be associated with poor outcomes in IHD and CVD in the general population. This study aimed to assess the relationship of thrombocytopenia with poor outcomes in cancer patients with CVD.

Materials and methods

Data on patients with concomitant CVD and cancer who were initially treated at a cancer referral center between January 2010 and December 2017 were included. Thrombocytopenia was defined as a platelet count?3 during the first 24 h of CVD symptom onset. The IRB (CI/837/17) approved the review of clinical records.

Results

Among 268 cancer patients with CVD included in the study, 210 met the inclusion criteria. Median overall survival of the entire cohort was 7.2 months, which was significantly shorter in males (p?=?0.029) and patients with hematologic tumors (p?=?0.009), hemorrhagic CVD (p?

Conclusion

In cancer patients with CVD, thrombocytopenia at the time of CVD diagnosis and altered mental status during initial clinical evaluation were associated with higher mortality, which should be confirmed in future studies.