Hi,
My mother's most recent bloodwork showed normal platelet count of 257 (range 140-440 K/UL), but the morphology comment was, "some giant platelets seen". She is currently in her first cycle of carflizomib, and this is the first time the morphology comment has been abnormal. I've read that giant platelets are often observed in Myelodysplastic Syndrome, but she's had no treatment with radiation or the alkylating agents that are associated with development of MDS in multiple myeloma patients.
Could someone please comment on the significance of "giant platelets" in blood smear? Could this be a result of treatment, myeloma, or both?
(...her MPV is also normal at 7.3 (range 6-9.5) & 50 cells were counted)
Many thanks!
Lisa B.
Forums
5 posts
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Lisa B. - Name: Lisa B.
- Who do you know with myeloma?: My mother, Barbara Henson
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 10-28-11
- Age at diagnosis: 71
Re: Significance of "giant platelets" in peripheral blood sm
Hi Lisa,
I just wanted to reply since no one has replied yet, I'm not a dr. As long as there are still enough plateletts that are normal, and you said your mom has numbers in the 250's for those, i would keep an eye on it for now.
For me - my red cells have been larger then normal since I had a Stem Cell transplant. My dr says it is not really a Myelodisplasia, but it is a change that is sometimes seen following transplant. It has been almost three years since my treatment now and we have been monitoring it, and it does not seem to be getting any worse and I am able to keep good hemoglobin numbers
I just wanted to reply since no one has replied yet, I'm not a dr. As long as there are still enough plateletts that are normal, and you said your mom has numbers in the 250's for those, i would keep an eye on it for now.
For me - my red cells have been larger then normal since I had a Stem Cell transplant. My dr says it is not really a Myelodisplasia, but it is a change that is sometimes seen following transplant. It has been almost three years since my treatment now and we have been monitoring it, and it does not seem to be getting any worse and I am able to keep good hemoglobin numbers
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lys2012 - Name: Alyssa
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2010, Toronto, Canada
- Age at diagnosis: 32
Re: Significance of "giant platelets" in peripheral blood sm
Thank you, Lys2012. I appreciate your response. Hopefully, I'll have a chance to ask her oncologist about it after Christmas too.
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Lisa B. - Name: Lisa B.
- Who do you know with myeloma?: My mother, Barbara Henson
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 10-28-11
- Age at diagnosis: 71
Re: Significance of "giant platelets" in peripheral blood sm
Lisa,
While giant platelets can be seen in myelodysplastic syndrome, it's really a non-specific finding, and can be seen occasionally in normal blood smears as well. So as long as your mother's platelet counts are normal, it's not something that is clinically significant or needs any further intervention.
Hope this helps.
While giant platelets can be seen in myelodysplastic syndrome, it's really a non-specific finding, and can be seen occasionally in normal blood smears as well. So as long as your mother's platelet counts are normal, it's not something that is clinically significant or needs any further intervention.
Hope this helps.
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Dr. Adam Cohen - Name: Adam D. Cohen, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
Re: Significance of "giant platelets" in peripheral blood sm
Thank you so much, Dr. Cohen! This relieves my mind!!
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Lisa B. - Name: Lisa B.
- Who do you know with myeloma?: My mother, Barbara Henson
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 10-28-11
- Age at diagnosis: 71
5 posts
• Page 1 of 1