What is Spleen Neoplasia?
Spleen neoplasia, also known as Spleen Cancer, is the uncontrolled growth of cells in the spleen, an organ located just below the ribs on the left side of the body. Its main functions include filtering out damaged blood cells, producing white blood cells (thus preventing infections), and aiding in blood clotting (by storing red blood cells and platelets).
Spleen Cancer can be malignant or benign and can originate in the organ or come from other parts of the body (metastases). In all cases, it is a rare disease with no defined cause.
Subtypes of spleen cancer
Spleen neoplasms are classified as primary (malignant or benign) and secondary (malignant).
hMalignant primary neoplasms of the spleen
- Lymphoma in the spleen: Primary location of lymphoma in the spleen accounts for less than 1% of all lymphomas and is usually a non-Hodgkin lymphoma. There are currently four patterns of lymphoma in the spleen described: diffuse infiltration; small, focal, or miliary nodules; multiple large nodular lesions; and solid, bulky masses.
- Angiosarcoma – Although rare, angiosarcoma in the spleen is the most common primary malignant neoplasm in this organ. It is a highly aggressive tumor with little chance of cure.
Benign primary neoplasms of the spleen
- Hemangioma – Hemangioma is the most common benign neoplasm in the spleen. They are abnormally accumulated blood vessels in the organ, which may present peripheral calcifications.
- Lymphangioma – Lymphangioma is a rare benign neoplasm with slow growth, common in childhood. In the spleen, it presents as a collection of cysts of various sizes.
- Hamartoma – is a rare benign lesion composed of malformations of the red pulp of the spleen.
- Splenic littoral cell angioma – Splenic littoral cell angioma is a rare vascular tumor that arises in the littoral cell, which lines the sinuses of the red pulp of the spleen, and covers the organ diffusely with multiple nodular masses of varying sizes.
- Malignant neoplasms: The emergence of metastases in the spleen is relatively uncommon. The malignant tumors most commonly spread to the spleen are melanoma, breast cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, stomach cancer, and pancreatic cancer.
Benign primary neoplasms of the spleen
- Splenectomy: In the case of malignant neoplasms, splenectomy – partial or total removal of the spleen – is one of the treatment options.
Secondary malignant neoplasms of the spleen
The emergence of metastases in the spleen is relatively uncommon. The malignant tumors most commonly spread to the spleen are:
- Melanoma;
- Breast cancer;
- Lung cancer;
- Ovarian cancer;
- Colon cancer;
- Stomach cancer;
- Pancreatic cancer.
The symptoms of spleen cancer can cause the organ to enlarge, leading to:
- Feeling overly full after eating
- Pain in the upper left side of the abdomen
- Frequent infections
- Easy bleeding
- Anemia
- Bruising
- Fatigue
- Bone and joint pain
- Lymph node enlargement
- Fever
- Chills with sweating
- Unexplained weight loss
- Swelling in the abdomen
Diagnosis of spleen neoplasia
The specialist doctor requests a series of tests when suspecting the presence of a spleen neoplasm due to a set of symptoms.
Initially, a complete blood count is requested to check the blood cell count. In some cases, a bone marrow biopsy is necessary, removing a small sample from the pelvic bone for analysis to look for cancerous cells. When lymph nodes are symptomatic, they also undergo biopsy.
Imaging tests such as magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and PET Scan help to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment of spleen neoplasia
For malignant neoplasms, splenectomy – partial or total removal of the spleen – is a treatment option. It can be performed laparoscopically (minimally invasive surgery) or through open surgery.
Studies show that most patients undergoing splenectomy do not require additional treatments for up to five years, depending on the origin and cellular subtype.
Additionally, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy may be indicated, depending on the patient’s tumor type. Stem cell transplantation may be considered in some cases.
Moreover, in certain situations, the monoclonal antibody rituximab is used to control the disease without surgical intervention.
Individuals without symptoms usually do not require treatment but should undergo semi-annual medical follow-up, including blood tests and evaluation of the general clinical condition.
Prevention of spleen neoplasms
There are no known ways to prevent spleen neoplasms, as their cause is undefined
