Splenomegaly, or a swollen spleen, can be caused by underlying medical conditions such as infections, cancer, and liver disease. It can cause discomfort and difficulty eating, and in severe cases, it can rupture and cause dangerous internal bleeding. Treatment involves addressing the underlying problem, and in some cases, surgical removal of the spleen may be necessary.
Normally, the spleen, an infection-fighting organ found in the upper left section of the abdomen, is slightly larger than a baseball. Sometimes, however, underlying medical problems can cause the organ to swell considerably, a condition known technically as splenomegaly. While a swollen spleen often has no symptoms, it can sometimes cause discomfort and difficulty eating. In many cases, a swelling of the spleen isn’t recognized until the underlying condition that’s causing it starts showing symptoms.
The spleen is part of the body’s lymphatic system and plays an important role in fighting infection. It produces white blood cells, which help clear bacteria, viruses, and other foreign particles from the body, and also filter the blood that moves through it. A large number of underlying medical conditions, such as infections, cancer, and liver disease, can cause the spleen to swell. Those with a swollen spleen may have reduced resistance to infection. Additionally, an inflamed spleen can sometimes rupture, causing dangerous internal bleeding.
Unfortunately, a swollen spleen often has no symptoms. Therefore, it is possible for an individual to experience enlargement of this organ without any knowledge of it. Sometimes, an individual may only become aware of the condition when a doctor detects swelling during a casual physical exam.
If the spleen becomes very swollen, it can start putting pressure on the stomach, which is positioned nearby. In this case, the individual may find that they become full after consuming only a small amount of food. You may also have a dull, persistent pain in your upper left back, which may radiate up to your shoulder.
It is quite common for a swollen spleen to go unrecognized until the underlying medical condition responsible for the enlargement starts exhibiting symptoms unrelated to the spleen. For example, if the swelling is caused by a viral infection, such as mononucleosis, the individual might experience symptoms such as extreme tiredness, sore throat, and fever. These symptoms can lead the individual to visit a doctor, who can then detect a swollen spleen during an exploratory exam.
Treating a swollen spleen usually involves addressing the underlying problem that’s causing the swelling. Depending on the nature of the underlying problem, treatment options can range from something as simple as a course of antibiotics to major procedures like radiation. If an enlarged spleen doesn’t respond to treatment, a doctor may recommend its surgical removal.
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