RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the association between the platelet count of peripheral blood and clincopathologic parameters of esophageal carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Platelets of peripheral blood were measured in 415 cases of esophageal carcinoma and 325 healthy subjects as control. The correlation of platelet counts and clinicopathological features of cancer was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Platelet count in patients with esophageal carcinomas (286+/-88)x10(9)/L was significantly higher than that in the control subjects [(204+/-114)x10(9)/L, P<0.05 ]. Increased platelet counts (>300 x 10(9)/L) was significantly associated with tumor infiltration and lymph node metastasis in patients with esophageal cancer (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Platelet count of peripheral blood might be associated with the development and progression of esophageal cancer.</p>