Reasons for an Enlarged Liver & Spleen
The liver and spleen share common blood circulation pathways. Due to the circulatory link between the liver and spleen, many disease processes affect both organs. Infections, blood cell diseases, liver diseases, cancer and inherited disorders can adversely affect the liver and spleen, causing enlargement of both organs.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Chronic Hepatitis and Cirrhosis
Any disease process that causes ongoing liver inflammation -- or chronic hepatitis -- and subsequent liver scarring can lead to cirrhosis. Extensive liver scarring that disrupts the normal structure and blood flow through the liver defines cirrhosis. Many disorders can cause chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis. Common examples include:
- alcoholic hepatitis
- chronic viral hepatitis
- autoimmune hepatitis
- nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
- cystic fibrosis
- the iron-storage disease hemochromatosis
Obstruction of blood flow through a scarred liver causes a circulatory backup that adversely affects the spleen, causing enlargement. Liver and spleen enlargement prove common physical findings among people with active liver disease and cirrhosis.
- Any disease process that causes ongoing liver inflammation -- or chronic hepatitis -- and subsequent liver scarring can lead to cirrhosis.
- Liver and spleen enlargement prove common physical findings among people with active liver disease and cirrhosis.
Hemolytic Anemias
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Hemolytic anemias are diseases that cause premature destruction of red blood cells. Red blood cell destruction and removal from the circulation occur primarily in the liver and spleen. The accelerated rate of red blood cell destruction that characterizes the hemolytic anemias typically causes liver and spleen enlargement. Inherited disorders of the red blood cells prove a frequent cause of hemolytic anemia. With these disorders, the red blood cells assume abnormal shapes, which targets them for early destruction. Common inherited forms of hemolytic anemia include sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and hereditary spherocytosis. Medication reactions, autoimmune disorders and infections can also cause hemolytic anemia with accompanying enlargement of the liver and spleen.
- Hemolytic anemias are diseases that cause premature destruction of red blood cells.
- Medication reactions, autoimmune disorders and infections can also cause hemolytic anemia with accompanying enlargement of the liver and spleen.
Leukemias
Leukemias are a group of cancerous disorders of the white blood cells. These cancers arise from cells in the bone marrow that produce white blood cells. Markedly increased production of the cancerous white blood cell line characterizes leukemia. Leukemic cells frequently invade the liver and spleen, typically causing marked enlargement of the organs. Leukemias are named based on the cell type involved and include acute and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and acute and chronic myelogenous leukemia 56.
- Leukemias are a group of cancerous disorders of the white blood cells.
- Leukemic cells frequently invade the liver and spleen, typically causing marked enlargement of the organs.
Infections
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Bacterial, viral and parasitic infections can cause liver and spleen enlargement. Examples of viral infections that may cause these physical findings include mononucleosis, cytomegalovirus infection and congenital rubella. The bacterial infections tularemia, Q fever and ehrlichiosis can also cause liver and spleen enlargement. Parasitic infections that may lead to liver and spleen enlargement include malaria and schistosomiasis.
- Bacterial, viral and parasitic infections can cause liver and spleen enlargement.
- The bacterial infections tularemia, Q fever and ehrlichiosis can also cause liver and spleen enlargement.
Warning Signs and Symptoms
Mild enlargement of the liver and spleen may go unnoticed. However, some signs and symptoms may indicate the presence of a condition that could cause:
- enlargement of these organs
- including: fever
- poor appetite
- unintentional weight loss
- a change in bowel habits
- paleness
- rash
- lack of energy
- shortness of breath
- distension of the abdomen and/or yellow discoloration of the skin
See your doctor as soon as possible for any of these symptoms, especially if they develop suddenly or you experience several of them.
Related Articles
References
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology: A Clinical Handbook; Nicholas J. Talley, et al.
- The Merck Manual Professional Edition: Cirrhosis
- Wintrobe's Clinical Hematology, 13th Edition; John P. Greer, M.D., et al.
- The Merck Manual Professional Edition: Acute Leukemia Overview
- The Merck Manual Professional Edition: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
- The Merck Manual Professional Edition: Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)
- Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases, 8th Edition; John E. Bennett, M.D., et al.
- Ashorobi D, Fernandez R. Asplenia. In: StatPearls. Updated April 21, 2019.
- Kapila V, Tuma F. Physiology, spleen. In: StatPearls. Updated December 30, 2018.
- Chapman J, Azevedo AM. Splenomegaly. In: StatPearls. Updated May 6, 2019.
- Cleveland Clinic. Enlarged spleen: Possible causes. Updated July 16, 2018.
- Thipphavong S, Duigenan S, Schindera ST, Gee MS, Philips S. Nonneoplastic, benign, and malignant splenic diseases: cross-sectional imaging findings and rare disease entities. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2014;203(2):315-22. doi:10.2214/AJR.13.11777
- Cleveland Clinic. Splenectomy. Updated July 11, 2016.
- Cleveland Clinic. Splenectomy: Risks/benefits. Updated July 11, 2016.
Writer Bio
Dr. Tina M. St. John owns and operates a health communications and consulting firm. She is also an accomplished medical writer and editor, and was formerly a senior medical officer with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. St. John holds an M.D. from Emory University School of Medicine.