Platelet count predicts prognosis in operable non-small cell lung cancer

Platelets play a significant role in cancer cell growth, progression and metastasis. However, in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the association between a patient’s platelet count and prognosis has not previously been fully elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation between platelet count, patients’ characteristics and prognosis in patients with NSCLC. A total of 510 NSCLC patients were enrolled in the present study. The median platelet count in the NSCLC patients was 203×10(9)/l (95% CI, 115–358×10(9)/l). The median platelet count in T3 and T4 patients was significantly higher than that of T1 and T2 patients (median, 263×10(9)/l and 253.5×10(9)/l vs. 199.5×10(9)/l and 196.5×10(9)/l, respectively; P<0.001). The 3-year cumulative overall survival (OS) probability was 75.3% for patients with normal platelet counts and 59.2% for patients with elevated platelet counts. When compared with the patients with normal platelet counts, the patients with elevated platelet counts had an increased risk of disease progression (HR, 1.568; 95% CI, 1.015–2.453). Pre-operative platelet counts are a novel independent prognostic biomarker in operable NSCLC.