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.
Symptoms
An enlarged spleen may cause:
- No symptoms, in some cases
- Pain or fullness in the left upper abdomen that may spread to the left shoulder
- Feeling full without eating or after eating only a small amount — this can occur when an enlarged spleen presses on your stomach
- Anemia
- Fatigue
- Frequent infections
- Easy bleeding
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