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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
Your spleen is a small organ located just below your rib cage on your left side. Normally, your spleen is about the size of a fist, but a number of conditions — from infections to liver disease and some cancers — can cause an enlarged spleen, also known as splenomegaly (spleh-no-MEG-uh-lee).
Most people don't have symptoms with an enlarged spleen. The problem is often discovered during a routine physical exam. Your doctor won't be able to feel a normal-sized spleen — unless you're very slender — but can feel an enlarged spleen.
Treatment for an enlarged spleen focuses on relieving the underlying condition. Although surgically removing an enlarged spleen isn't a first choice, it may be an option for you in certain situations.
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- Enlarged spleen. The Merck Manuals: Home Edition for Patients and Caregivers. http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec14/ch179/ch179b.html. Accessed Sept. 15, 2010.
- Patient information for laparoscopic spleen removal (splenectomy) from SAGES. Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons. http://www.sages.org/sagespublication.php?doc=PI12. Accessed Sept. 15, 2010.
- Henry PH, et al. Enlargement of lymph nodes and spleen. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=2875326. Accessed Sept. 15, 2010.
- Brender E, et al. The spleen. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2005;294:2660.
- Armitage JO. Approach to the patient with lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/218749248-3/0/1492/651.html?tocnode=54619609&fromURL=651.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50179-8_7809. Accessed Sept. 15, 2010.
- Splenomegaly. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec11/ch138/ch138b.html. Accessed Sept. 15, 2010.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, et al. Recommended adult immunization schedule - United States, 2010. MMWR. 2010;59:1. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5901a5.htm. Accessed Sept. 15, 2010.
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