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Enlarged Liver & Spleen Disease

An enlarged liver and spleen is known medically as hepatosplenomegaly. Common causes include leukemia, lymphoma, carcinoid syndrome, cirrhosis, chronic fatigue syndrome and hepatitis C.

  1. Considerations

    • The spleen is a vital part of the immune system. According to Mayo Clinic, a normal spleen is about the size of a fist. An enlarged spleen may be the result of infection, liver disease or some types of cancer. It is a symptom of an underlying condition.

    More Considerations

    • The liver produces cholesterol, stores vitamins and minerals, and filters harmful substances from the blood. A normal liver, according to CNN Health, is about the size of a small football. An enlarged liver may be caused by alcohol abuse, hepatitis, liver cancer, infections or leukemia.

    Causes

    • According to WrongDiagnosis.com, there are 740 causes of enlarged liver and spleen disease, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia, bile duct cancer, Epstein-Barr virus, Reye's syndrome and thrombocytosis.

    Treatment

    • Treatment for an enlarged liver is determined by the cause. Treatment for an enlarged liver due to leukemia may include chemotherapy. A liver damaged by hepatitis B or C may be treated with medication.

    More Treatment

    • An enlarged spleen may be surgically removed when the damage causes pain, bleeding or severe anemia. According to the "Merck Manual Home Edition," the risks of removing the spleen include an increased potential for infections.

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