Swollen spleen and lymph nodes

Swelling of the spleen and lymph nodes can be caused by both infection and cancer. Pfeiffer’s glandular fever, for example, regularly causes a marked swelling of various lymph nodes, often accompanied by fever, aching limbs and fatigue.However, blood cancer or lymphomas, i.e. malignant cancers, can also cause swelling of the spleen and lymph nodes. In the case of lymph node swelling that does not disappear after a few days, enlarged lymph nodes that are not painful under pressure or strongly caked to the surrounding tissue should therefore be presented to the treating physician as soon as possible.

Swollen spleen and liver

Swelling of the liver and spleen is known in medical jargon as hepatosplenomegaly. The causes of this are often similar to those of isolated swelling of the spleen. In leukemia, hepatosplenomegaly can occur due to the necessary blood formation outside the bone marrow.

Viral infections, such as whistler glandular fever, or tropical diseases, such as malaria, can also cause swelling of both organs. The liver and spleen are then palpable under the right (liver) or left (spleen) costal arch. The enlargement often only disappears completely after months, namely when the disease has been cured or treated. This topic may also be of interest to you:

Enlarged liver
Swollen liver

What to do with a swollen spleen?

Since a spleen swelling is usually not noticed, the question of what to do is often not even raised. If it is palpated by chance, the doctor treating the patient should be consulted. The doctor can then decide whether further diagnostics are necessary. By means of anamnesis, physical examination and blood values the way to a diagnosis can be paved.

Can this be an indication of cancer?

A rare cause of swelling of the spleen is cancer. Numerous cancers of the blood or lymphatic system can lead to a swelling of the spleen. These diseases sometimes differ greatly in their severity, symptoms, therapy and prognosis.

Usually a removal of the spleen is not necessary during the course of the disease. Many of these diseases can initially manifest themselves as fever, night sweats, fatigue, weight loss and a reduced general condition. Today, most of these diseases can be treated well and with success, so that the prognosis improves overall.