Raised platelet level ---> interleukin6?

IDCERPR

I was reviewing my immunochemistry results and noticed a significant raise in platelet levels compared to last month which led me to do some digging regarding platelet level increases during chemo and found a few articles regarding increased interleukin6 levels from the tumor cells leading to increased platelet levels.

After researching a bit that this can be a negative prognosis factor and that blocking interleukin 6 could help wondered if anyone else had noticed this and whether had addressed this issue with the doctor.This is the article discussing its relevancy http://www2.mdanderson.org/depts/oncolog/articles/12/11-12-nov-dec/11-12-12-1.html

leggo

Hi IDCERPR. I did develop a blood clot, and was quite frankly, horrified. Once I talked to the onc about it, he told me just what they mentioned in the article. With cancer, we're likely to get them. Yay! More cancer, higher the chances. Since the clot, I've been on Fragmin shots. I recently became aware that the shots I was taking were 8000 IU higher than what most people with history of a clot were prescribed. I kind of freaked out, only to find out what they eluded to in the article. Because of the amount of metastatic disease, there was no way I wasn't going to get a blood clot at some point, despite being on aspirin therapy. Unfortunately, I'm keenly aware of what they're saying in the article, and also quite grateful for the research in that area. Now that my platelets are normal, my survival improves, and at this point, every little bit helps.

Thanks for posting that article. That interleukin inhibitor sounds like something I may have to talk to my onc about.