The spleen is an organ that is a part of the lymph system. It filters the blood and maintains healthy red and white blood cells and platelets. The spleen may be affected by many conditions involving the blood or lymph system, and by infection, malignancies, liver disease, and parasites. It performs a wide variety of functions.
The spleen may be enlarged without any symptoms being present. When present, symptoms of splenomegaly can include:
- Inability to eat a large meal
- Pain on the upper left side of the abdomen
- Hiccups
In nearly 5% of individuals with enlarged spleens, no underlying cause can be determined.
Most individuals with splenomegaly require treatment for the underlying disease. Medications for underlying infections and possible radiation therapy are used as appropriate. The spleen is surgically removed (splenectomy) when medically necessary, when it is markedly enlarged, and when other treatments are not effective. A splenectomy may also be done to assess the rate of disease progress, called staging, if it is cancerous.