Splenic Cyst

Hi, all. Happy to know there are many of people like me and us. 43yr male in Sydney. I three weeks ago had ultrasound scan then result showed 3.54cm tumor or cyst on my spleen. As I don't have any pain yet there, I had another ultrasound scan in different place then waiting detailed result tomorrow but they showed me that black thing through film (meaning yes, it is really there). At least no pain there, it must (and has to) be good sign but quite afraid what GP will say tomorrow. Maybe she will refer to have CT then meet specialist? Also worried biopsy isn't recommended directly to spleen which makes wonder how I can know if tumor is negative or not. Actually first result sheet says 'tumor' but reading this thread, this could be 'cyst'. Well, not sure though but what would there be huge differences between tumor and cyst in spleen? Maybe I need to keep monitoring, trying to reduce this size to smaller (but how?) and wishing not having pain like so far. Will try to update you (which I am very good at) how it goes and good luck on us all. Thanks for reading and any advice if you can.

@seram, There is a big difference between a tumor and a cyst. A tumor is solid and may impinge on other organs (because it is in your torso). A cyst is a fluid-filled sac that may also impinge on other organs. If I remember correctly cysts are usually not cancerous but tumors may be. Sometimes additional testing may be done to determine 1) whether it is a tumor or cyst, 2) if it can be determined to be growing and how rapidly, and 3) if it may be cancerous. You may need more than a General Practitioner to get a firm diagnoses and treatment plan.

Thanks a million. Waiting at GP to consult next step. One of scariest moment in my life. 🙂 Let me see how it goes.

'4.1 X 3.4 x 3.5cm lobulated lesion slightly hyper intense to that of spleen' is what I got so will take CT this afternoon. 🙂 Funny that I have no trauma so maybe some kind of infection? What a bad luck while can be considered better as I found it earlier and not in other organs. Other organs are clear from cancer fortunately. Will update later. Wish all of us good luck and have a great February.

Hello @bordercolliecra and @kellynormand

I'm looking forward to hearing from you both regarding any progress you are making with the physio.

Will you update when you can?

Can someone help me. I was diagnosed with a Splenic cyst 3 years ago. It is almost 10 cm. No one in MT seems concerned. However, I have been in excruciating pain for almost a month. I have lost 17 lbs in a month. My lymph nodes hurt. Who do I see a hematologist. I have an upper and.lower GI on Wednesday. However I think it is my spleen. I was on Prednisone and this started the whole ball rolling.

Hi @michellern and welcome to Connect. It must be irritating to have your condition worsen but not receive any help.

I wanted to introduce you to fellow Connect members @kellynormand @bordercolliecra and @kmg365, as well as @hopeful33250 as they have experience with splenic cysts or have mentioned them in the past and may be able to offer you support.

Back to you @michellern, how long were you on Prednisone?

60 days ago my life was normal. I got a pretty bad cold and was coughing coughing. Then I started with upper abdominal pain. Then two days later I woke up with a bump on my right temple. I was very dizzy and weak. The dew some labs and my ESR was 30 and diagnosed me with Temporal arteritis. That dust day they gave me 180 mg of Prednisone. They told me to take 60 mg a day for 7 days. However, the side effects were so bad and I had increasing abdominal and spleen pain. So I took 60 mg for three days then backed off to 40 for 5 says, 30 for 5 days, 20 for three days 10 for 3 days. During this time the abdominal pain got so much worse. I kept saying my spleen and liver were killing me. They did a CT scan of the abdomen and my cyst was stable at 9+ cm. Spleen siZe was not addressed. IAM at the.point I can only eat 1.5 cups of food twice a day. I have lost so much weight. I decided that I would rather be blind than take.prednisone. The doctor said it was anxiety and prescribed an antidepressant. It is not that. It is abdominal pain and spleen pain. I go in for.an upper and.lower GI on Wednesday. However, this pain is crazy. I have a history of GERD but know it's not that either. My Splenic cyst has never been addressed. I have also had pain under.my armpits. White count varied between 11 and 15 but they attribute to Prednisone.

Hello @michellern

I can certainly understand your concern and wanting some answers for this pain. Perhaps the upper and lower GI on Wednesday will help to diagnose this pain problem.

If you still have concerns, however, I would suggest a visit to a medical facility with a multidisciplinary approach such as a university medical school or a Mayo facility. Sometimes a second opinion at one of these types of facilities can help patients get answers to difficult to diagnose problems.

If you are comfortable doing so, will you provide an update after you get your results of your tests on Wednesday?

Thank you for your response. Yes I will give updates.