Squamous cell carcinoma larynx presenting as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

Abstract

Association of immune thrombocytpenic purpura with solid malignancy as paraneoplastic manifestation has been reported earlier mainly with lymphoma and breast cancer. We report the case of a patient with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx presenting with idiopathic thombocytopenic purpura (ITP). A 67-year-old lady presented with multiple ecchymotic patches and petechiae all over the body and bleeding from oral cavity was found to have severe thrombocytopenia diagnosed as ITP with bone marrow evidence of peripheral destruction without infiltration of bone marrow. Five months later she was diagnosed to have squamous cell carcinoma of larynx. Platelet count improved after splenectomy.

Keywords

• Immune thrombocytopenic purpura
• Splenectomy
• Squamous cell carcinoma larynx
• Paraneoplastic syndromes