A 37-year-old member asked:
what exactly does it mean to have an enlarged spleen?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

Dr. Sewa Legha answered
Medical Oncology 50 years experience
Something is wrong: Many internal disorders can cause your spleen to enlarge. Some common conditions include cirrhosis of the liver and blood disorders like chronic leukemias of different types can be the cause. You should seek consultation with a blood specialist to examine you and investigate the cause.
4938 views
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Similar questions
CA
A 27-year-old member asked:
Is having an enlarged spleen is always associated with other diseases?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. Scott Mackinnon answered
Anesthesiology 33 years experience
Most of the time: "hypersplenism" or enlarged spleen is a normal reaction by the spleen as it act as a filter for blood cells, bacteria, viruses; cirrhosis also gives rise to enlarged spleen due to portal congestion. Lymphoid cancers may occur in the spleen itself, causing enlargement. Another direct cause from spleen itself is an abscess due to infection or recent trauma.
6122 views
A 27-year-old member asked:
Is there a quick cure for an enlarged spleen?
3 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Todd Sisto answered
Breast Surgery 37 years experience
quick doesn't equal: better. You would need a comprehensive work up
6188 views
A 23-year-old member asked:
Why is it dangerous to have an enlarged spleen?
4 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in

Dr. Jon Krook answered
General Surgery 24 years experience
It can rupture: It can rupture causing internal bleeding that can only be stopped with either surgery or a radiologic procedure. It can also cause early satiety (getting full quickly after eating), and pain.
6374 views
A 41-year-old member asked:
Can a person feel enlarged spleen symptoms?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. George T Tsai answered
General Surgery 27 years experience
Maybe: There are many conditions associated with an enlarged spleen. Depends on the underlying pathology, splenomegaly are sometimes discovered by accident in asymptomatic patients while other times associated with a multitude of symptoms such as malaise, abdominal swelling, pain, easy bruising... If in doubt, see your doctor.
5764 views
Houston, TX
A 61-year-old female asked:
Treatment for enlarged spleeen?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Jason Sample answered
General Surgery 24 years experience
Depends on cause: An enlarged spleen, splenomegaly, can have many causes. Once the cause is understood, then we could consider treatments. Splenomegaly on its own is not necessarily dangerous (unless the spleen is very large).
You would need a complete blood count and a careful history and physical gefore treatments could be discussed. One treatment would be splenectomy (removal of the spleen).
5684 views
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated Apr 12, 2020
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
24/7 visits
$15 per month
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.