Simple criteria to predict prognosis in colorectal carcinoma based on lymphopenia and thrombocytosis.

The aim of the present study was to establish a series of criteria based on lymphopenia and thrombocytosis to determine prognosis for patients with colorectal carcinoma. Correlation of preoperative lymphopenia and thrombocytosis with clinicopathological characteristics was investigated in 215 patients with colorectal carcinoma who had undergone surgical treatment. Multivariate analysis showed that the presence of at least either lymphopenia or thrombocytosis (P=0.006), venous invasion (P=0.003) and the stage of tumors (P=0.019) were independent prognostic indicators. Lymphocyte percentage and platelet counts that can be determined using only data from complete blood counts may therefore serve as simple and useful tools to appropriately determine prognosis for patients with colorectal carcinoma.