Spleen Disorders

Symptoms vary depending on the underlying cause and the severity of the condition. Some people experience no symptoms at all and only discover they have a spleen disorder during tests for another condition.

Common symptoms of spleen disorders include:

• pain or discomfort in the upper left side of the abdomen

• a feeling of fullness after eating only a small amount of food

• bloating

• fatigue

• frequent infections

• unexplained weight loss

• easy bruising

• prolonged bleeding

• anaemia

• dizziness or light-headedness

• night sweats

• fever

An enlarged spleen may press against the stomach, causing a person to feel full more quickly than usual.

A ruptured spleen is a medical emergency and can cause:

• sudden severe abdominal pain

• pain that spreads to the left shoulder

• dizziness

• fainting

• signs of internal bleeding

Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek urgent medical attention.

There are many possible causes of spleen disorders. In most cases, the spleen becomes affected because of another illness or condition elsewhere in the body.

Common causes include:

Infections

Several infections can cause the spleen to enlarge or become inflamed, including:

• glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis)

• viral hepatitis

• bacterial infections

• malaria

• tuberculosis

• HIV

Blood disorders

Conditions affecting blood cells may cause the spleen to work harder than normal, leading to enlargement or overactivity.

Examples include:

• sickle cell disease

• thalassaemia

• hereditary spherocytosis

• haemolytic anaemia

Liver disease

Advanced liver disease can increase pressure within the blood vessels supplying the spleen, causing enlargement.

Examples include:

• liver cirrhosis

• portal hypertension

Cancers

Certain cancers can affect the spleen directly or indirectly.

These include:

• lymphoma

• leukaemia

• myeloproliferative disorders

• metastatic cancers

Autoimmune conditions

Some autoimmune diseases can affect the spleen and blood cells.

Examples include:

• lupus

• rheumatoid arthritis

• sarcoidosis

Trauma and injury

A blow to the abdomen, sports injury, fall, or road traffic accident can damage the spleen and, in severe cases, cause rupture.

At Welbeck, patients with symptoms suggestive of a spleen disorder will first attend a consultation with a specialist. Your consultant will ask about your symptoms, medical history, family history, and any recent infections or injuries.

A physical examination may be performed. In some cases, an enlarged spleen can be felt beneath the left rib cage.

Depending on your symptoms, your consultant may recommend further investigations, including:

• blood tests

• liver function tests

• infection screening

• ultrasound scan

• CT scan

• MRI scan

• PET scan

• bone marrow testing

• genetic testing for inherited blood disorders

Blood tests can help identify anaemia, low platelet counts, infections, or blood cancers. Imaging tests allow specialists to assess the size and structure of the spleen and identify any cysts, abscesses, injuries, or tumours.

Sometimes a diagnosis can be made during the initial consultation and examination. However, additional tests are often needed to confirm the cause of the spleen disorder and guide treatment decisions.

Not all spleen disorders can be prevented. Many occur because of inherited conditions, autoimmune diseases, or illnesses that are outside an individual's control.

However, there are steps that may reduce your risk of certain spleen problems:

• staying up to date with recommended vaccinations

• seeking prompt treatment for infections

• limiting alcohol intake to help protect liver health

• managing long-term medical conditions effectively

• wearing appropriate protective equipment during contact sports

• attending regular medical reviews if you have a blood disorder

People with an enlarged spleen are often advised to avoid contact sports because of the increased risk of spleen rupture.

The potential complications depend on the underlying condition.

Possible complications include:

• recurrent infections

• severe infections due to reduced immune function

• anaemia

• low platelet counts

• excessive bleeding

• enlargement of the spleen

• rupture of the spleen

• internal bleeding

• complications related to underlying blood disorders or cancers

An overactive spleen can remove healthy blood cells from circulation too quickly. This may lead to low levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

While complications can sometimes be serious, early diagnosis and treatment often help reduce these risks significantly.

Treatment depends on the specific spleen disorder and its underlying cause.

Your consultant will create a personalised treatment plan based on your diagnosis, symptoms, and overall health.

Treatment options may include:

• monitoring and regular follow-up for mild cases

• antibiotics for bacterial infections

• antiviral treatment when appropriate

• medications to treat autoimmune conditions

• treatment for underlying blood disorders

• blood transfusions

• vaccination programmes

• treatment for liver disease

• chemotherapy or targeted therapies for blood cancers

• drainage of spleen abscesses or cysts

• splenic artery embolisation in selected cases

• splenectomy (surgical removal of the spleen)

A splenectomy may be recommended when the spleen is severely damaged, causing significant symptoms, or contributing to blood cell problems. You can live without a spleen, but you may require lifelong precautions and vaccinations to reduce your risk of infection.

At Welbeck, our specialists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.