Will the steroids help with the spleen
February 10
Does an enlarged spleen cause high blood cell counts?
Actually, an enlarged spleen typically doesn't cause high blood cell counts. In fact, it often has the opposite effect.
When leukemia cells accumulate in the spleen and cause it to enlarge (splenomegaly), the spleen can trap and destroy more blood cells than normal Show Full Answer
Does an enlarged spleen cause high blood cell counts?
Actually, an enlarged spleen typically doesn't cause high blood cell counts. In fact, it often has the opposite effect.
When leukemia cells accumulate in the spleen and cause it to enlarge (splenomegaly), the spleen can trap and destroy more blood cells than normal. This usually leads to *low* blood cell counts rather than high ones.
In leukemia, high white blood cell counts happen because the bone marrow produces too many abnormal white blood cells. These cancerous cells can then pile up in the spleen, causing it to stretch and enlarge. The enlarged spleen is a result of the high cell counts, not the cause of them.
So the relationship works like this:
- Leukemia causes abnormal white blood cells to multiply
- These excess cells accumulate in the spleen
- The spleen becomes enlarged from the buildup
- The enlarged spleen may then trap and destroy other blood cells, potentially lowering red blood cells and platelets
February 10
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