We probably don't think much about the spleen in our body, do we? But this small organ is very important to our body. However, sometimes cancer can develop in this spleen. Today we are going to talk about this spleen cancer, or `(Spleen Cancer)`. Don't be scared when you hear about this, because this condition is not very common. But it is good for everyone to be aware.
What is Spleen Cancer?
Simply put, spleen cancer is a cancer that develops in your spleen. The spleen is an organ about the size of the fist that is part of our lymphatic system. It is located on the left side of the abdomen, just below the ribs. One of the main functions of the spleen is to filter the blood and help fight infections.
The important thing is that spleen cancer is not something that is seen very often. Most often, cancer starts somewhere else in the body and spreads (metastasizes) to the spleen. It is rare for cancer to start in the spleen itself.
Are there types of spleen cancer? (Types of Spleen Cancer)
Yes, there are mainly two types of spleen cancer.
1. Primary spleen cancers: These are cancers that start in the spleen itself. These are very uncommon, meaning they are very rare. The two main types of cancer in this category are splenic marginal zone lymphoma and splenic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Even more rare is primary splenic angiosarcoma.
2. Secondary spleen cancers: This is when cancer starts somewhere else in the body (such as the lungs, breast, or blood) and spreads to the spleen. For example, if you have leukemia or lymphoma, it can spread to the spleen. Cancers such as breast cancer, lung cancer, and ovarian cancer can also sometimes spread to the spleen. These secondary cancers are more common than primary cancers.
What are the symptoms of spleen cancer? (Spleen Cancer Symptoms)
Sometimes, there can be no symptoms of spleen cancer. However, if symptoms do occur, the most common are:
- Pain in the upper left side of the abdomen: This is caused by an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly). This pain can occur because the spleen enlarges and presses on the surrounding organs.
- Unexplained weight loss: If you are losing weight for no apparent reason, it is something to be concerned about.
- Feeling weak, feeling tired.
- Fever: A fever, especially one that lasts for more than fourteen days.
But remember, don't assume that you have spleen cancer just because you have these symptoms. For example, some viral infections, such as mononucleosis, can also cause the spleen to swell. However, if you have swelling or pain in the upper left side of your abdomen, or if you have a fever that lasts for more than two weeks, you should definitely see a doctor for advice.
Why does this spleen cancer develop? (Causes of Spleen Cancer)
Most of the time, as we mentioned earlier, spleen cancer occurs when cancer spreads to the spleen from another part of the body. Rarely, a type of cancer of the lymphatic system called non-Hodgkin lymphoma can develop in the spleen itself.
What are the risk factors? (Risk Factors)
A risk factor is something that increases the likelihood of developing a disease. In the case of spleen cancer, the main risk factor is having cancer elsewhere in the body and it spreading to the spleen.
Additionally, if you have hepatitis C, a liver disease, or autoimmune diseases (that is, diseases in which the body's immune system attacks its own cells), you may have a slightly increased risk of developing a type of spleen cancer called splenic marginal zone lymphoma.
Can spleen cancer cause complications? (Complications)
Yes, if spleen cancer is not treated properly, a dangerous complication can occur. That is, a ruptured spleen. If this happens, there can be excessive bleeding inside the body and it can even be life-threatening. Therefore, a ruptured spleen is an emergency that requires immediate medical attention.
How is spleen cancer diagnosed? (Diagnosis)
Doctors perform various tests to diagnose spleen cancer.
- The most important thing is to take a sample of cells and test them (biopsies). In this, a small piece of the spleen is taken and examined under a microscope to see if there are cancer cells.
- A blood test called a peripheral blood smear test may also be performed.
- In addition, imaging tests are done to see how the cancer has affected the spleen or if it has spread to other areas. Examples of these are:
- `Computed tomography (CT) scan`
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
- `Positron emission tomography (PET) scan`
- Ultrasound
What are the treatments for spleen cancer? (Spleen Cancer Treatments)
The treatment for spleen cancer can vary from patient to patient. There are several factors that affect this:
- Type of spleen cancer.
- Whether the cancer is primary or secondary. If it is a secondary cancer, meaning it has spread from somewhere else, treatment is primarily directed at the original cancer.
- Cancer stage.
- Your overall health.
In some cases, doctors decide to perform a surgery to remove the spleen (splenectomy) . This surgery can remove the cancer in the spleen. However, it is not a complete cure for cancer that has spread to the spleen from another site.
Other treatments are also used for conditions such as primary spleen cancer, such as ``splenic primary diffuse B-cell lymphoma'':
- Chemotherapy: This uses drugs to destroy cancer cells.
- Radiation therapy: Uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells.
Are there any side effects or complications of the treatment? (Treatment Side Effects/Complications)
As with any surgery, there is a risk of infection or excessive bleeding during a splenectomy. Sometimes, serious infections can occur after a splenectomy. Therefore, your doctor may recommend that you get certain vaccines before and after the surgery. These vaccines help protect you from bacteria that can cause infections.
The most common side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy are:
- Fatigue.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Loss of appetite.
Don't worry about these side effects. Doctors will help you manage them.
Can Spleen Cancer Be Cured?
The answer to this question depends on where the cancer started.
- If the cancer starts in the spleen (a primary cancer), surgery to remove the spleen (splenectomy) can sometimes completely cure the cancer.
- However, if cancer has spread to the spleen from another part of the body (secondary cancer), the situation is a little different. In that case, the cure for spleen cancer depends on how successfully the original cancer is treated.
How long do people with spleen cancer live? (Survival Rates)
This is something that many people want to know. However, we need to be very careful when talking about this.
According to one analysis, more than 83% of people with primary spleen cancer are alive five years after diagnosis.
However, these survival rates can vary greatly from person to person. There are several factors that affect this:
* Whether the cancer is primary or secondary.
* The stage of the cancer at the time of diagnosis.
* Your overall health.
Another thing to keep in mind is that because spleen cancer is uncommon, these survival rates are often calculated from studies that used relatively small groups of people. So, if you have questions about your condition, it's best to talk to your doctor about what you can expect.
Can spleen cancer be prevented? (Prevention)
The answer to this too is "it varies depending on the situation."
- For example, experts believe that having hepatitis C increases the risk of developing primary splenic cancer. So, if you can prevent hepatitis C (that is, avoid contact with infected blood, especially by not sharing needles and syringes), you can reduce the risk of this cancer to some extent.
- On the other hand, secondary spleen cancer occurs when other types of cancer spread to the spleen. In such cases, the only way to prevent spleen cancer is to prevent the other cancers from developing or to detect and treat them early.
How Do I Take Care of Myself?
If you have spleen cancer, you are probably living with cancer that has spread to your spleen from somewhere else in your body. Doctors also call this condition `metastatic cancer`.
Living with metastatic cancer can be very challenging. These challenges vary from person to person. You may experience things like:
- You may feel sad, angry, or disappointed.
- Because cancer is present in more than one part of the body, it can feel overwhelming and stressful.
- There may be fears about whether the treatment will be successful.
- There may be a fear that the cancer will spread quickly.
- You may need help with daily tasks.
If you are in this situation, consider participating in cancer survivorship programs. These programs provide support to those living with cancer, helping them live as long and as well as possible.
Usually, spleen cancer occurs when you have lymphoma or another type of cancer that has spread to your spleen. Living with this type of cancer that has spread can be difficult, as it may require additional treatments. Although doctors can treat spleen cancer, its cure depends on whether the original disease can be treated.
You may be feeling overwhelmed by all of this and scared about what the future holds. If so, talk to your doctor and find out about cancer recovery programs that are specifically designed for people like you who have metastatic cancer. Remember, you are not alone.
Take-Home Message
- Spleen cancer is not very common. It usually occurs when cancer from another area spreads to the spleen.
- Symptoms are not the same for everyone. If you have pain on the left side of your abdomen, weight loss, or fever, seek medical advice.
- Treatment methods vary depending on the type of cancer, its stage, and your health condition.
- Splenectomy (removal of the spleen), chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are the main treatment methods.
- The chances of recovery and survival rates depend on many factors. Talk to your doctor about this openly.
- If you or someone close to you has been affected by this condition, it is very important to stay mentally strong and get the necessary support. Don't be afraid, medical science has advanced, and there are many people to help.
` Spleen, cancer, spleen cancer, symptoms, treatment, lymphatic system, splenectomy
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