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Has anyone had an enlarged spleen?
Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: 3 days ago | Replies (14)Comment receiving replies
My husband was diagnosed with PV in 2020. He has been on hydroxarea since then. An MRI just showed his spleen at a 28.His Dr said he's never seen this size in his career. His spleen is palpated at each visit so this growth took place within a years time. We're waiting for a biopsy from a lesion spotted on a PET scan to make decisions about the direction to take next.
Replies to "My husband was diagnosed with PV in 2020. He has been on hydroxarea since then. An..."
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Hi @b52770 I’m sure this is a time of anxiety for you and your husband with his recent discovery of his enlarged spleen. It looks like he’s also waiting for a biopsy from an area discovered on his PET scan?
As @kjoed53 mentioned in their reply to you, people with PV can develop an enlarged spleen. That’s not uncommon with any blood condition. The spleen filters your blood, so when you have polycythemia vera, the excess cells tend to collect in that organ.
With his spleen measuring 28 cm (11+ inches) your husband must feel pretty uncomfortable from pressure and pain with bending over, eating or breathing because it’s taking up space in the abdominal area. Medications such as Jakafi, which is also used to treat the symptoms of PV, can help reduce spleen size. So your husband’s doctor may suggest a medication change. Or, sometimes removal of the spleen is also recommended to help ease the discomfort.
Is the lesion that was discovered on his PET scan on his spleen or other organ? Is there a biopsy on the schedule soon?