Can low platelet count cause leukemia?
Disease description:
Recently, our organization conducted a physical examination, and my blood test results showed a low platelet count. I would like to ask whether a low platelet count can cause leukemia.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Feng
Thrombocytopenia generally does not cause leukemia, although there is a certain degree of association between the two.
Thrombocytopenia may result from various factors, such as aplastic anemia, viral infections, medication effects, and autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus. Leukemia, on the other hand, is a malignant clonal disease originating from hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow, and its development has no direct causal relationship with thrombocytopenia.
Although thrombocytopenia itself does not lead to leukemia, patients with leukemia may exhibit thrombocytopenia. This occurs because leukemia cells proliferate extensively in the bone marrow, thereby suppressing normal hematopoietic function and leading to reduced levels of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets in the peripheral blood.
The association between the two lies in the fact that certain types of leukemia, such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia or acute myeloid leukemia, may be accompanied by thrombocytopenia during disease progression.
Therefore, if thrombocytopenia occurs, timely medical attention is recommended.
