Spleen cancer can be primary or metastatic, with lymphatic tumors being common. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Symptoms include fatigue, weight loss, and abdominal tenderness. Regular veterinary checkups can help detect spleen tumors in animals.
Spleen cancer can include primary tumors originating in the spleen, as well as metastatic tumors that have spread from other areas of the body. This body organ has a very large collection of lymphatic tissue, and as a result, many spleen cancers are lymphatic in nature. The treatments available vary depending on the type of cancer and how far it has progressed. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are all potential treatment options for spleen cancer.
Lymphatic tumors of the spleen include T-cell lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Common non-Hodgkin lymphomas found in the spleen are: hairy cell leukemia; mantle cell lymphoma; and various forms of B-cell lymphoma. Lymphomas all originate in cells found in lymph tissue and can spread rapidly through the lymphatic circulation, posing serious health risks. Lymphoma can also spread from other parts of the body to the spleen through the lymphatic circulation.
Primary tumors, particularly hemangiosarcoma, can also develop in the spleen. These tumors arise from nonlymphatic tissue in the spleen and can vary in malignancy. Treatment for tumors usually involves surgery to remove the cancer, followed by treatment to kill any lingering cancer cells in the patient’s body.
Tumors elsewhere in the body can reach the spleen. In these cases, they are named after the part of the body where they originated and are described as metastases. Therefore, people may have a diagnosis such as breast cancer that is metastatic to the spleen. Treating these cancers can be more challenging, as their spread throughout the body makes them more difficult to eradicate effectively, even with drugs.
People with spleen cancer may experience symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, abdominal tenderness, and frequent infections. Medical imaging of the spleen may reveal enlargement, and a biopsy may be taken for laboratory examination to identify cancer and determine staging. Once diagnosed, patients may wish to discuss treatment options with different doctors to get an idea of the range of choices available to them. It is important to inquire about the prognosis with several courses of treatment in order to make an informed decision on the most suitable option.
Spleen tumors can also develop in animals, where they are often noticed too late for effective treatments to be available. Pet owners can get cancer earlier by taking their pets to regular veterinary checkups and paying attention to behavioral changes in their pets.
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