When possible, doctors treat the underlying disorder behind an enlarged spleen.  This is because an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly) is not a disease in itself but the result of an underlying disorder.

Possible causes of spleen problems include:

• Blood disorders or anemia
• Cancers
• Infections  (such as hepatitis, malaria or mononucleosis)
• Storage diseases
• Other causes (such as cysts, blood clots or cirrhosis)

If your doctor confirms an enlarged spleen, you might be asked to limit your activities including participation in contact sports.  This is to help prevent any possible trauma that might cause the spleen to rupture and result in severe blood loss.

Some people may need to undergo partial or whole removal of the spleen.  An entire spleen removal of the spleen is called a splenectomy.   If part of the spleen is removed, the spleen may regenerate.  Regeneration does not occur during a full spleen removal, but the spleen is not critical to survival and can be removed from the body if necessary.  In these cases, other organs (mainly the liver) increase infection-fighting abilities, monitoring and removing red blood cells that the body no longer need.  As an alternative to surgery, radiation therapy can sometimes be used to shrink the spleen.

Removing the spleen helps prevent extreme bleeding that can occur after an injury, treats diseases that cause disruption of blood cells or treats cancers involving the spleen.  Surgical removal of the spleen may be necessary but can cause problems, including an increased risk of bacterial infections. However, the risks are worth taking in certain critical situations when the spleen:

• destroys red blood cells more than necessary & severe anemia occurs
• decreases white blood cells and infection is likely
• decreases blood platelets and bleeding is likely
• is so large that it causes pain or puts pressure on other organs
• is so large that parts of it bleed or die

Seek medical care if you develop a fever or other illness after a splenectomy or partial spleen removal.  You might also benefit from particular vaccines or antibiotic prescriptions to help control susceptibility to infection, so ask your doctor about these options.  As a final thought, consider wearing a medical alert bracelet to inform health care providers of your spleen disorder during medical emergencies.

Remember that your relationship with your health care providers is a partnership.  Work together with your doctor to identify the cause of an enlarged spleen and to start to treat it.