The spleen plays a crucial role in the health of your body, as this organ is essential to the lymphatic and immune systems. Splenomegaly is when the spleen becomes enlarged, which can result from infections, injuries, and genetic changes. Neoplastic splenomegaly results from problems with one’s bone marrow, which is fatty tissue in the bones responsible for making blood cells.
Myeloproliferative neoplasms are blood cancers that occur when bone marrow produces an excess of red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells. Splenomegaly is a symptom of myeloproliferative neoplasms, and it can be accompanied by other health effects depending on the type of myeloproliferative disorder. These effects may include:
Certain genetic mutations are associated with myeloproliferative neoplasms. However, these mutations are not inherited, but rather they occur spontaneously.
Splenomegaly can be identified primarily by pain in the upper left portion of the abdomen. Other symptoms include:
Hypersplenism may also occur, which causes the organ to become overactive. Spleen overactivity can lead to anaemia symptoms, as well as a decreased volume of platelets and white blood cells.
People with genetic mutations that cause myeloproliferative neoplasms accumulate foreign cells within the spleen, which enlarges the organ. These cancer cells continue to multiply unabated and will eventually affect the function of the spleen.
Classic cancer treatments like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy are used to address myeloproliferative neoplasms. Doctors can also use corticosteroids to bring down swelling in some cases. While stem cell transplantation can effectively cure these disorders, not everyone is a good candidate for the treatment.
Doctors can also treat splenomegaly directly. Low-dose radiation can shrink the organ to resume normal function, but spleen removal may be necessary if the organ has experienced significant damage. It is possible to live a normal life without a spleen, but removal can compromise immune function.