1. < Blood Cancers & Disorders

Splenic Cyst

Posted by stew201 @stew201, Jul 15, 2011

After having a CT scan with contrast for a post op mass, an unrelated 11cm cyst was found incidentally on my spleen. This finding has perplexed my primary physician and the hematologist that I was going to be referred to (I have an HMO). I am awaiting bloodwork to determine if the cyst is parasitic, but beyond that, I'm just told to take a wait and see approach if it's not parasitic. Does anyone have any experience with a splenic cyst? Isn't a mass that large on such a small organ dangerous?

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bordercolliecra | @bordercolliecra | Nov 10, 2018
In reply to @kmg365 "Thank you @hopeful33250 for your interest in my situation! I met with the surgeon yesterday and..." + (show)
@kmg365

Thank you @hopeful33250 for your interest in my situation!

I met with the surgeon yesterday and things did not go as I expected. Essentially, the surgeon, speaking on behalf of a group of surgeons, said that barring any complications or intervention by the hematologist or infectious disease doctor, should one of them believe a splenectomy necessary, he feels that I should ignore the cyst and just live with it. He said that even if it ruptured, it probably wouldn't be that big a deal because it is most likely not a hydatid cyst. This was contrary to everything I'd been told up to that point by other doctors. He also told me that he did not think that my low blood platelets were connected to the cyst.

It also seemed strange to me that the surgeon didn't know if one of the other doctors, the hematologist or infectious disease specialist, had already decided on a splenectomy. I was under the impression that he automatically had the final say, but that's not the case apparently. I did finally get the anticipated lecture on taking too much Ibuprofen, though!

Since I regularly feel pressure and discomfort in the abdomen, most frequently on the left side it seems, the next step is for me to get an endoscopy to see if I might have any GI issues. However, if they determine that the cyst is causing the pain, they may end up recommending a splenectomy.

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@kmg365 . See my other post today. I have been told just to live with the Splenic Cyst. Will it burst I asked. No my haematologist replied!!

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bordercolliecra | @bordercolliecra | Nov 10, 2018
In reply to @eliana5 "I am new on here and having difficulty navigating this site. I have no idea how..." + (show)
@eliana5

I am new on here and having difficulty navigating this site. I have no idea how to post a message, so I will reply to this one. I just found out I have a 1.6cm cyst on my spleen. They said it us growing. Had cat scan..they didn't "know exactly where cyst was" then they did an ultrasound..as I am having pain - sharp at times under left ribcage. They don't seem very concerned. They called me today with results. Cyst is inside spleen? Growing. They don't seem to concerned at Hematologist office. Frustrating.

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@eliana5 See my 2 post today. I have a Splenic Cyst and an enlarged spleen. Don't worry and see you in 6 months, was all my haematologist said. I am in pain like you are.

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Nov 10, 2018

I am so glad that you posted an update after your appointment with the Hematologist, @bordercolliecra. While I'm glad to hear that no Lymphoma was found, I'm sorry to hear that the doctor gave you no answer or help with your pain. How frustrating that must be for you.
As my knowledge of these matters is limited to what I read and what others share, I hope that some of our other members might be able to help you.

Will you send an update after your next appointment with your Gi doctor?

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1 reply
bordercolliecra | @bordercolliecra | Nov 10, 2018
In reply to @hopeful33250 "I am so glad that you posted an update after your appointment with the Hematologist, @bordercolliecra...." + (show)
@hopeful33250

I am so glad that you posted an update after your appointment with the Hematologist, @bordercolliecra. While I'm glad to hear that no Lymphoma was found, I'm sorry to hear that the doctor gave you no answer or help with your pain. How frustrating that must be for you.
As my knowledge of these matters is limited to what I read and what others share, I hope that some of our other members might be able to help you.

Will you send an update after your next appointment with your Gi doctor?

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@hopeful33250 . Hi. I am swimming in a very small sea here in England. All my information has come from the rest of the world and there don't seem many of us about with a Splenic Cyst. My Haematologist wouldn't even discuss what type of cyst it might be. If he hasn't got the knowledge he should just say.I have had a search and found a surgeon in the South of England who specialises in Spleen removal. I have sent him an email and hope either he or someone he knows can help me (and the rest of us).

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Nov 10, 2018

Good work! I am glad to hear that you have found another resource, @bordercolliecra. It is important to advocate for your health care needs.

When you hear from him, will you please let me know if he has more information for you?

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2 replies
bordercolliecra | @bordercolliecra | Nov 12, 2018
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Good work! I am glad to hear that you have found another resource, @bordercolliecra. It is..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Good work! I am glad to hear that you have found another resource, @bordercolliecra. It is important to advocate for your health care needs.

When you hear from him, will you please let me know if he has more information for you?

Jump to this post

@hopeful33250 . I have been reading everything there is online about Splenic Cysts. I have decided to contact my previous Haematologist/oncologist and ask him if he can recommend another Haematologist for a second opinion. He is now the Director of Medicine at another hospital. Not heard from the guy I found the other day. I do see the Gastroenterologist again next Wednesday as we discussed the cyst and he said he would see me again f it wasn't Lymphoma.

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1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Nov 12, 2018
In reply to @bordercolliecra "@hopeful33250 . I have been reading everything there is online about Splenic Cysts. I have decided..." + (show)
@bordercolliecra

@hopeful33250 . I have been reading everything there is online about Splenic Cysts. I have decided to contact my previous Haematologist/oncologist and ask him if he can recommend another Haematologist for a second opinion. He is now the Director of Medicine at another hospital. Not heard from the guy I found the other day. I do see the Gastroenterologist again next Wednesday as we discussed the cyst and he said he would see me again f it wasn't Lymphoma.

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I am so glad that you posted again, @bordercolliecra. I hope that either your Gastroenterologist that you see on Wed. or the Hematologist that you previously saw can give you some help with your discomfort.

Wishing you well. Will you keep in touch?

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1 reply
bordercolliecra | @bordercolliecra | Nov 18, 2018
In reply to @hopeful33250 "I am so glad that you posted again, @bordercolliecra. I hope that either your Gastroenterologist that..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

I am so glad that you posted again, @bordercolliecra. I hope that either your Gastroenterologist that you see on Wed. or the Hematologist that you previously saw can give you some help with your discomfort.

Wishing you well. Will you keep in touch?

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@hopeful33250 Hi. Nether person that had written papers about Splenic Cysts, that I emailed, have contacted me. I left the letter for my previous Haematology/Oncologist at his new hospital. I had a phone call from the Patients Liason group to say that they have the letter (why it was addressed to him?) and did I want it to be passed on to their Haematology Department or the doctor I had addressed it to as he was on holiday. I have asked them to leave it for my previous Haematologist and was told that it will be left on his desk. Fingers crossed for a speedy outcome as I have a ferry booked to Spain on 1 February 2019. I still feel that my current Haematologist has fobbed me off. I just want to know the truth.

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1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Nov 19, 2018
In reply to @bordercolliecra "@hopeful33250 Hi. Nether person that had written papers about Splenic Cysts, that I emailed, have contacted..." + (show)
@bordercolliecra

@hopeful33250 Hi. Nether person that had written papers about Splenic Cysts, that I emailed, have contacted me. I left the letter for my previous Haematology/Oncologist at his new hospital. I had a phone call from the Patients Liason group to say that they have the letter (why it was addressed to him?) and did I want it to be passed on to their Haematology Department or the doctor I had addressed it to as he was on holiday. I have asked them to leave it for my previous Haematologist and was told that it will be left on his desk. Fingers crossed for a speedy outcome as I have a ferry booked to Spain on 1 February 2019. I still feel that my current Haematologist has fobbed me off. I just want to know the truth.

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I appreciate your persistence, @bordercolliecra
I do hope you find an answer!

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1 reply
bordercolliecra | @bordercolliecra | Nov 27, 2018
In reply to @hopeful33250 "I appreciate your persistence, @bordercolliecra I do hope you find an answer!" + (show)
@hopeful33250

I appreciate your persistence, @bordercolliecra
I do hope you find an answer!

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@hopeful33250. Hello again. I have seen the Gastroenterologist again and he said to ignore the pain as it is a pulled muscle! (after 6 months of pain). I spoke to my previous haematologist who talked me through the types of cysts and said that it could either be an error on the ultrasound, or a cyst if I had pain similar to a heart attack on my left side. I told him I had heart attack pains on the right side and I had spoken to my GP about it. He said it was 'unlikely' to be cyst pain and to keep persevering with the Gastroenterology aspect!! The Gastroenterologist thinks I may have BAM (bile acid malabsorbtion) and is ordering a test for me and will see me in 4 months!! I asked why I would have to wait that long if the test results are positive. He said he will write to me. I don't feel that any answers are closer than they were 3 months ago.

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