spleenectomy?

Question

Hi I am 41 and I'm from Kentucky and have an enlarged spleen. It has been hurting me and I've been going to the docotr there's nothing showing why my spleen is enlarged. All test have came back neg. to illnesses such as thessinmia, luekimia, etc that can cause the spleen to enlarge and there's been no injurgy to it. They are wanting to take my spleen out and I'm scared to death. My daughter says not to because it would be like me having aides would that be true? Should I have this done? The dotor says if they take it out they will byopsy it to se why it was enlarged. Does anyone know the reasons that the spleen enlarges? Can it be normal that the spleen enlarges? Where is the best place to go to have this done? They are sending me an appt. soon so please contact me back so I can make up my mind on what to do. [e-mail] Thank You Joy

Answer 1

You have what is termed splenomegaly Enlarged spleen

There are many Causes

Enlarged spleen causes vary, including:

* Viral infections, such as mononucleosis
* Bacterial infections, such as syphilis or an infection of the heart's inner lining (endocarditis)
* Parasitic infections, such as malaria
* Cirrhosis and other diseases affecting the liver
* Various types of hemolytic anemia — a condition characterized by premature destruction of red blood cells
* Blood cancers, such as leukemia and Hodgkin's disease
* Metabolic disorders, such as Gaucher's disease and Niemann-Pick disease

Sometimes pressure on the veins from the spleen or to the liver cause an enlarged spleen. A blood clot in a vein from the spleen or to the liver can have the same effect.

Having your spleen removed does not have any relationship with HIV or AIDS!.
Many footballers injure their spleens have them removed and live realtively normal lives and continue with their sport.

Have a biopsy forst before allowing removal unless it is causing you a lot of pain. Be guided by your physician or surgeon on this.

Answer 2

Your spleen could be enlarged thanks to infection, obstruction of blood flow, anemia, or a tumor. I'm assuming you've had blood tests done to rule out viruses along with thalassemia and leukemia. Cytomegalovirus, malaria and mononucleosis can also enlarge the spleen. If you haven't had antibody tests to confirm lack of a viral infection, make sure you have those! Then get a second opinion to be sure your spleen should be removed.

Losing your spleen will not leave you as susceptible to infection as an AIDS patient is. (AIDS patients suffer from a severe lack of CD4+ immune cells, depriving them of functional immune systems). But since the spleen plays some role in shoring up the immune system, you would be more at risk for bacterial infections that could cause sepsis, or blood poisoning. Doctors would administer you antibiotics to be taken for two years or more, along with a few vaccines, to combat the risk.

Good luck with your decision.

Answer 3

The spleen, similar in structure to a large lymph node, has historically held rather a mythical role but current knowledge of its purpose includes the destruction of old red blood cells and platelets and the detection and fight against certain bacteria.
Common Causes of splenomegaly are:-
* Infections
(1) Infectious mononucleosis (EBV or CMV)
(2) Other viral infections
(3) Parasitic infections
(4) Cat scratch disease
(5) Bacterial infections
* Diseases involving the liver
(1) Cirrhosis (portal vein obstruction, portal hypertension)
(2) Sclerosing cholangitis
(3) Wilson's disease
(4) Biliary atresia
(5) Cystic fibrosis
* Hemolytic anemias
(1) Thalassemia
(2) Hemoglobinopathies
(3) Hemolytic anemia due to G6PD deficiency
(4) Idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia
(5) Immune hemolytic anemia
* Cancer
(1) Leukemia
(2) Lymphoma
(3) Hodgkin's disease
* Other causes
(1) Sarcoidosis
(2) Sickle cell splenic crisis
(3) Felty syndrome
It is removed under the following circumstances:
1. When very large such that it becomes destructive to platelets/red cells
2. For diagnosing certain lymphomas
3. When platelets are destroyed in the spleen as a result of an auto-immune process (see also idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura)
4. When the spleen bleeds following physical trauma
5. Following spontaneous rupture
6. For long-term treatment of congenital erythropoietic porphyria (CEP) if severe hemolytic anemia develops
The classical cause of traumatic damage to the spleen is a motorcycle accident where one end of the handlebars strikes the abdomen. Splenectomy should be avoided if possible, particularly in children, to avoid the resulting permanent susceptibility to bacterial infections.
Please see the web pages for more details on Spleen, Splenomegaly and Splenectomy.

Answer 4

I agree with the gentleman above. You have splenomegaly and your daughter is misinformed about excision. Her misconception is dangerous.

No one can make this decison for you. As far as the best place to go for a splenectomy (note spelling) that would be at the hospital where your surgeon has surgical privileges. You will be told which one when the procedure is scheduled. In your case, I don't think it's a good idea to have a biopsy prior to excision. This will create a delay. It's causing you pain and it needs to come out. You will survive this but you must be the one to decide.