BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuSplenomegalySpleen enlargement; Enlarged spleen; Spleen swellingSplenomegaly is a larger-than-normal spleen. The spleen is an organ in the upper left part of the belly. Considerations The spleen is an organ that is a part of the lymph system. The spleen filters the blood and maintains healthy red and white blood cells and platelets. It also plays a role in immune function.Lymph systemThe lymph system is a network of organs, lymph nodes, lymph ducts, and lymph vessels that make and move lymph from tissues to the bloodstream. The l...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Many health conditions can affect the spleen. These include:Diseases of the blood or lymph system Infections Cancer Liver diseaseLiver diseaseThe term "liver disease" applies to many conditions that stop the liver from working or prevent it from functioning well. Abdominal pain or swelling...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms of splenomegaly include: Hiccups Inability to eat a large meal Pain in the upper left side of the belly Causes Splenomegaly can be caused by any of the following:Infections Liver diseases Blood diseases Cancer Home Care In rare cases, an injury can rupture the spleen. If you have splenomegaly, your health care provider may advise you to avoid contact sports. Your provider will tell you what else you need to do to take care of yourself and any medical condition. When to Contact a Medical Professional There are usually no symptoms from an enlarged spleen. Seek medical help right away if pain in your belly is severe or gets worse when you take a deep breath. What to Expect at Your Office Visit Your provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history.A physical exam will be done. Your provider will feel and tap along the upper left part of your belly, especially just under the rib cage.Tests that may be done include:Abdominal x-ray, ultrasound, or CT scan Abdominal x-rayAn abdominal x-ray is an imaging test to look at organs and structures in the abdomen. Organs include the liver, spleen, stomach, and intestines. T...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article UltrasoundAbdominal ultrasound is a type of imaging test. It is used to look at organs in the abdomen, including the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and kidneys...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CT scanAn abdominal CT scan is an imaging test that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the belly area. CT stands for computed tomography....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC) and tests of your liver functionComplete blood countA complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article The treatment depends on the cause of splenomegaly.Open ReferencesReferencesWall DJ. The spleen. In: Rumack CM, Levine D, eds. Diagnostic Ultrasound. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 5.Winter JN. Approach to the patient with lymphadenopathy or splenomegaly. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 154.Wood VH, Cooperberg PL, Vos PM. Benign and malignant lesions of the spleen. In: Gore RM, ed. Textbook of Gastrointestinal Radiology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 62.AllVideoImagesTogSplenomegaly - illustration Splenomegaly is an enlargement of the spleen.SplenomegalyillustrationEnlarged spleen - illustration Because of its wide variety of functions, the spleen may be affected by many conditions involving the blood or lymph system, and by infection, malignancies, liver disease, and parasites.Enlarged spleenillustrationSplenomegaly - illustration Splenomegaly is an enlargement of the spleen.SplenomegalyillustrationEnlarged spleen - illustration Because of its wide variety of functions, the spleen may be affected by many conditions involving the blood or lymph system, and by infection, malignancies, liver disease, and parasites.Enlarged spleenillustrationRelated Information Lymph system(Special Topic)Liver disease(Condition) Review Date: 3/31/2024 Reviewed By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. 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SplenomegalySpleen enlargement; Enlarged spleen; Spleen swellingSplenomegaly is a larger-than-normal spleen. The spleen is an organ in the upper left part of the belly. Considerations The spleen is an organ that is a part of the lymph system. The spleen filters the blood and maintains healthy red and white blood cells and platelets. It also plays a role in immune function.Lymph systemThe lymph system is a network of organs, lymph nodes, lymph ducts, and lymph vessels that make and move lymph from tissues to the bloodstream. The l...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Many health conditions can affect the spleen. These include:Diseases of the blood or lymph system Infections Cancer Liver diseaseLiver diseaseThe term "liver disease" applies to many conditions that stop the liver from working or prevent it from functioning well. Abdominal pain or swelling...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms of splenomegaly include: Hiccups Inability to eat a large meal Pain in the upper left side of the belly Causes Splenomegaly can be caused by any of the following:Infections Liver diseases Blood diseases Cancer Home Care In rare cases, an injury can rupture the spleen. If you have splenomegaly, your health care provider may advise you to avoid contact sports. Your provider will tell you what else you need to do to take care of yourself and any medical condition. When to Contact a Medical Professional There are usually no symptoms from an enlarged spleen. Seek medical help right away if pain in your belly is severe or gets worse when you take a deep breath. What to Expect at Your Office Visit Your provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history.A physical exam will be done. Your provider will feel and tap along the upper left part of your belly, especially just under the rib cage.Tests that may be done include:Abdominal x-ray, ultrasound, or CT scan Abdominal x-rayAn abdominal x-ray is an imaging test to look at organs and structures in the abdomen. Organs include the liver, spleen, stomach, and intestines. T...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article UltrasoundAbdominal ultrasound is a type of imaging test. It is used to look at organs in the abdomen, including the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and kidneys...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CT scanAn abdominal CT scan is an imaging test that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the belly area. CT stands for computed tomography....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC) and tests of your liver functionComplete blood countA complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article The treatment depends on the cause of splenomegaly.Open ReferencesReferencesWall DJ. The spleen. In: Rumack CM, Levine D, eds. Diagnostic Ultrasound. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 5.Winter JN. Approach to the patient with lymphadenopathy or splenomegaly. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 154.Wood VH, Cooperberg PL, Vos PM. Benign and malignant lesions of the spleen. In: Gore RM, ed. Textbook of Gastrointestinal Radiology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 62.
