Elevated Platelet Count as Prognostic Factor in Colorectal Cancer With Synchronous Liver Metastases

Blood samples were drawn by expert phlebotomists in vacuum blood tubes containing K2-EDTA (Terumo Europe NV, Leuven, Belgium). The complete blood cell count (CBC) was performed using Advia 2120 (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Tarrytown NY, USA). The local reference range for platelets was 150-400 x 109/L. The same analyser was used throughout the study period, and the quality and reproducibility of test results was validated by data of both internal quality control and external quality assessment