How do cancer cells accumulate in the spleen in leukemia?
In leukemia, cancer cells can pile up in the spleen and stretch it to an unusual size, a condition called splenomegaly. This happens because the spleen normally filters and stores blood cells, destroys old or damaged red blood cells, and creates white blood cells Show Full Answer
How do cancer cells accumulate in the spleen in leukemia?
In leukemia, cancer cells can pile up in the spleen and stretch it to an unusual size, a condition called splenomegaly. This happens because the spleen normally filters and stores blood cells, destroys old or damaged red blood cells, and creates white blood cells called lymphocytes that help fight infections.
When you have leukemia, the cancer cells circulate through your bloodstream and naturally pass through the spleen as it performs its filtering function. Instead of being destroyed like damaged cells normally would be, these leukemia cells accumulate and build up in the spleen tissue.
This is particularly common in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). As more and more cancer cells collect in the spleen, it becomes enlarged and can press against your stomach and other organs, which may cause discomfort, pain, or make you feel full after eating just a small amount of food.
Your doctor can typically feel an enlarged spleen during a physical exam on the left side of your abdomen.
February 17
This seems to be a collection area like lymph node?
February 19
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