Massive splenomegaly, an abnormal enlargement of the spleen, can stem from a variety of conditions. Here are 5 common causes, based on the provided reference:
Common Causes of Massive Splenomegaly
| Cause Category | Specific Examples |
|---|---|
| Haematological Disorders | Chronic myeloid leukemia, agnogenic myeloid metaplasia, polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, indolent lymphomas, hairy cell leukemia, β-thalassemia major |
| Infectious Diseases | Visceral leishmaniasis, malaria |
| Other | These are other causes mentioned that do not fit in the categories above |
The reference lists several specific conditions within these categories, which contribute to massive splenomegaly:
-
Hematological Disorders: A variety of blood-related conditions can lead to significant spleen enlargement. These include:
- Chronic myeloid leukemia: A type of cancer affecting blood cells.
- Agnogenic myeloid metaplasia: A bone marrow disorder causing scarring.
- Polycythemia vera: A condition with overproduction of red blood cells.
- Essential thrombocythemia: A condition with overproduction of platelets.
- Indolent lymphomas: Slow-growing cancers of the lymphatic system.
- Hairy cell leukemia: A rare type of leukemia that affects B cells.
- β-thalassemia major: A severe genetic blood disorder impacting hemoglobin production.
-
Infectious Diseases: Certain infections, particularly parasitic ones, are major contributors to massive splenomegaly.
- Visceral leishmaniasis: A parasitic disease spread by sandflies.
- Malaria: A mosquito-borne infectious disease caused by Plasmodium parasites.
These conditions cause the spleen to enlarge significantly due to the increased workload it undertakes, trying to filter abnormal blood cells or fight off infection. It's important to note that massive splenomegaly is a serious condition requiring medical evaluation to determine the underlying cause and initiate appropriate treatment.
