[Usefulness of the eradication of Helicobacter pylori for the patient with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and lung cancer: report of a case].

A 61-year-old female was admitted because of an abnormal lung shadow on chest X-ray. She had suffered from idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) for more than 7 years. Computed tomography (CT) revealed that an irregular shadow, about 2 cm in diameter, was located in the upper lobe of the right lung. After intravenous immunogrobulin injections for 5 days, a hematology test indicated increased platelet counts and we performed thoracoscopic surgery successfully without blood transfusions. However, 4 months after surgery, a hematology test indicated decreased platelet counts again. Thirteen months after the operation, gastrointestinal fiberscopic examination showed Helicobacter pylori infection. After the urea breath test, eradication therapy let to a recovery in platelet counts.