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 The provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history.A physical exam will be done. The 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 Blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC) and tests of your liver functionTreatment depends on the cause of splenomegaly.Open ReferencesReferencesVos PM, Barnard SA, Cooperberg PL. Benign and malignant lesions of the spleen. In: Gore RM, Levine MS, eds. Textbook of Gastrointestinal Radiology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 105.Vos PM, Mathieson JR, Cooperberg PL. The spleen. In: Rumack CM, Levine D, eds. Diagnostic Ultrasound. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 5.Winter JN. Approach to the patient with lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 159.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: 1/25/2022 Reviewed By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
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 The provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history.A physical exam will be done. The 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 Blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC) and tests of your liver functionTreatment depends on the cause of splenomegaly.Open ReferencesReferencesVos PM, Barnard SA, Cooperberg PL. Benign and malignant lesions of the spleen. In: Gore RM, Levine MS, eds. Textbook of Gastrointestinal Radiology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 105.Vos PM, Mathieson JR, Cooperberg PL. The spleen. In: Rumack CM, Levine D, eds. Diagnostic Ultrasound. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 5.Winter JN. Approach to the patient with lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 159.