News and Views
CTCA Researchers Eye Thrombocytopenia in Cancer Patients
Researchers at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) are eyeing the effect of a treatment of thrombocytopenia in cancer patients, said Christopher G. Lis, MPH, vice president of research and development at CTCA.
Details of the study will be released at the American Association for Cancer Research, where CTCA researchers expect to present a paper which will discuss the treatment, the number of patients involved, the length of treatment, and the outcome of the treatments.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), thrombocytopenia is "any disorder" in which there are not enough platelets. Platelets are blood cells that help clotting. The condition of thromocytopenia is sometimes associated with abnormal bleeding. The disorder often leads to easy bruising, or nose bleeds in patients undergoing chemotherapy. The conventional treatment for thrombocytopenia can include a transfusion of platelets to stop the bleeding.
Researchers expect to make further announcements which will detail the findings of the study this spring.