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Spleen Problems

The spleen is an organ that's part of the lymphatic system; it helps the body fight against infection and stores blood cells. Sometimes the spleen can have problems, such as becoming enlarged, or rupture.

  1. Symptoms

    • Symptoms of problems with the spleen include feeling full after eating a small amount of food, pain or tenderness in the upper-left abdomen, back pain or pain that spreads to the shoulder.

    Causes

    • Causes of spleen problems include abdominal trauma, such as a fall or car accident, or underlying conditions, such as mononucleosis or cancer.

    Testing

    • Doctors can test for spleen problems with imaging and blood tests. Also, a physical exam can check for an enlarged spleen.

    Treatment

    • Doctors treat spleen problems by removing it through surgery if it ruptures or by treating underlying causes with medications.

    Warning

    • If you suspect a problem with your spleen, contact your doctor, or go to the emergency room immediately. If your spleen ruptures, and you aren't treated in time, you could lose too much blood and die.

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