Granulocytosis and thrombocytosis in renal cell carcinoma: a pro-inflammatory cytokine response originating in the tumour.

Abstract

We have provided direct evidence for the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by renal cancer cells in a patient with RCC and a profound inflammatory response, with a central role of IL-6, probably due to a gain of chromosome 7. The extreme granulocytosis and thrombocytosis may have resulted from the secondary systemic production of G-CSF and TPO.