Splenomegaly is an increase in spleen size that can be caused by various diseases and requires treatment to prevent a possible rupture, in order to prevent life-threatening internal bleeding.
The function of the spleen is regular, produce and store blood cells and destroy abnormal blood cells, however due to the increased ability to store blood cells, in splenomegaly, the functioning of this organ is affected and the number of circulating blood cells decreases causing anemia, frequent infections and bleeding disorders.
Although it may be asymptomatic, splenomegaly may be accompanied by the following symptoms:
If these symptoms are present and the pain is very severe, you should see your doctor urgently.
Factors that can lead to an enlarged spleen are viral infections, such as mononucleosis, bacterial infections such as syphilis or endocarditis, or parasitic infections such as malaria or kala-azar, for example.
In addition, splenomegaly can also be caused by cirrhosis and other diseases affecting the liver, various types of hemolytic anemia, blood cancer, such as leukemia or lymphoma, metabolic disorders, portal hypertension or blood clots in the veins of the spleen.
If left untreated in a timely manner, splenomegaly can cause complications due to reduced red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the bloodstream that make the body more vulnerable to infections, anemia and bleeding.
In addition, a rupture of the spleen can also occur, because when it enlarges, it also becomes more fragile and sensitive.
Splenomegaly is curable and the ideal treatment for splenomegaly depends on the cause. Therefore, in the presence of an infection, treatment includes the use of improved drugs, such as antibiotics, antiviral drugs or antiparasitic drugs. In cases of cirrhosis and blood cancer, for example, when treatment is prolonged, splenomegaly is controlled and the priority is to cure the underlying disease.
In more severe cases, where the enlarged spleen causes serious complications or the cause of which cannot be identified or treated, it may be necessary to remove the spleen by surgery, as it is possible to live healthily without this organ, but the risk of developing infections. can increase.