Hepatosplenomegaly: Everything You Need to Know

Medical conditions related to the liver often begin with the prefix "hepat-" (such as hepatitis) and "splen" refers to the spleen. The term "megaly" indicates that something is abnormally large.

Because both the spleen and liver play essential roles in the body, it is crucial to identify and correct any underlying causes of hepatosplenomegaly.

Causes

Several conditions can cause hepatosplenomegaly. Examples include:

·infection, such as hepatitis C, syphilis, or sepsis from a significant bacterial infection

·chronic liver disease with portal hypertension

·cancers, such as amyloidosis or sarcoidosis

·HIV

·Leukemia

·lymphoma

·pernicious anemia

·acromegaly

·sickle cell anemia

·systemic lupus erythematosus

·thalassemia

·thyrotoxicosis

·trauma, such as a car accident that impacted the spleen and liver

Enlargement of the liver can also cause enlargement of the spleen because the two organs are close to each other.

When the liver increases in size, it places extra pressure on the spleen. This pressure affects blood flow to the spleen, which can cause it to swell and get bigger.

Also, the spleen is responsible for filtering bacteria and viruses. When these cause problems with the liver, they can also affect the spleen.

Risk factors

Doctors may be able to diagnose hepatosplenomegaly more easily if a person has some of the following risk factors:

·diabetes

·high cholesterol

·alcohol use or addiction

·history of sharing needles

·being overweight

A person with these risk factors should talk to their doctor about how they can improve their liver health and reduce their risk of developing hepatosplenomegaly.

Treatment

The treatments for hepatosplenomegaly vary widely depending on the cause of the organ enlargement. Treating the underlying cause will usually help reduce the size of the organs.

Specific medications can be used to treat many of the causes of hepatosplenomegaly, including anemia, HIV, liver disease, and infections. A person may also need to make adjustments to their diet.

If a person has a cancerous tumor that affects the liver or spleen, a doctor may recommend removing the tumor and using chemotherapy or radiation treatments to prevent the cancer from coming back.

In rare cases, a doctor may recommend surgical removal of the spleen and a portion of the liver.

While a person can live without their spleen, they cannot live without their liver. People with severe and life-threatening conditions related to hepatosplenomegaly may require a liver transplant.