Causes of thrombocytopenia in cancer
| Direct effect of cancer | • Bone marrow infiltration leading to myelophthisis • Splenic infiltration leading to hypersplenism |
| Antineoplastic treatments and other medications | • Cytotoxic chemotherapy • Targeted therapy • Radiation therapy • Antibiotics |
| Microangiopathic disorders | • DIC • Thrombotic microangiopathy |
| Immune-mediated disorders | • HIT • ITP |
| Systemic or other factors | • Infection or sepsis • Liver disease • Thrombosis • Critical illness |
| Direct effect of cancer | • Bone marrow infiltration leading to myelophthisis • Splenic infiltration leading to hypersplenism |
| Antineoplastic treatments and other medications | • Cytotoxic chemotherapy • Targeted therapy • Radiation therapy • Antibiotics |
| Microangiopathic disorders | • DIC • Thrombotic microangiopathy |
| Immune-mediated disorders | • HIT • ITP |
| Systemic or other factors | • Infection or sepsis • Liver disease • Thrombosis • Critical illness |
Adapted from Liebman.10
DIC, disseminated intravascular coagulation; HIT, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia; ITP, immune thrombocytopenia.