Spleen problems and spleen removal

The spleen is a fist-sized organ found in the upper left side of your abdomen, next to your stomach and behind your left ribs. 

It’s an important part of your immune system but you can survive without it. This is because the liver can take over many of the spleen’s functions.


It’s an important part of your immune system but you can survive without it. This is because the liver can take over many of the spleen’s functions.

Symptoms

feeling full very quickly after eating (an enlarged spleen can press on the stomach) feeling discomfort or pain behind your left ribs  anaemia and/or fatigue frequent infections easy bleeding

Doctors can often tell if you have an enlarged spleen by feeling your abdomen. A blood test, CT scan or MRI scan would confirm the diagnosis.

The spleen is not usually removed if it’s just enlarged. Instead, you’ll receive treatment for any underlying condition and your spleen will be monitored. Antibiotics may be prescribed if there’s an infection.

You’ll need to avoid contact sports for a while, as you’ll be at greater risk of rupturing the spleen while it is enlarged.

Surgery is only necessary if the enlarged spleen is causing serious complications or if the cause can’t be found.