Background: A high prevalence of thrombocytosis in malignant mesothelioma has been reported, although its pathogenesis remains unknown.
Methods: The case of a patient with marked thrombocytosis in peritoneal malignant mesothelioma is reported. To investigate the cytokines responsible for thrombocytosis in this patient, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemical analysis were used.
Results: Tumor cells produced large amounts of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and small amounts of granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and monocyte colony stimulating factor (M-CSF). Immunocytochemical staining of tumor cells showed strong positivity for IL-6.
Conclusions: These results indicated that persistent secretion of IL-6 promoted thrombogenesis in this patient.