I’m chronic rare onco-haematological pathologies progressive and generally slow, but with important symptoms and complications, such as thrombosis; in some patients they may develop into other blood disorders, such as acute leukemia. It’s myeloproliferative neoplasms, a group of diseases characterized by the malfunctioning of the cells that give life to red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. They are called hematopoietic stem cells and the presence of some mutations causes their behavior to be altered. One possible consequence is the multiplication of hematopoietic cells in the spleen and liver. That is why these pathologies often cause splenomegaly, that is, an increase in the size of the spleen. This is what is reported in an article published in ‘Allies for Health’ (www.alleatiperlasalute.it), the portal dedicated to medical-scientific information created by Novartis.
Increasing in volume, particularly in the more advanced stages of the disease, the spleen it can put pressure on the stomach and intestines giving a sense of heaviness or discomfort, premature satiety or pain in the abdomen, difficult digestion and irregular bowel function (diarrhea and constipation). Sometimes it is also possible to have urinary disorders, difficulty finding a position while lying or sitting, difficulty bending over, swollen legs and a dry cough. The exam that is done to assess the size of the spleen is a complete ultrasound of the abdomen.
It is possible to resort to drug therapy. As a first choice, there is chemotherapy. There are also available targeted drugs, the selective inhibitors of the proteins JAK1 and JAK2, which are hyper-activated in myeloproliferative neoplasms. If therapies fail and symptoms are particularly severe, surgical removal of the spleen (splenectomy) or low-dose radiation therapy that reduces its size may be considered.
Diet can also help in the management of myeloproliferative neoplasms and reduce some symptoms – we read in the article – but it does not directly affect the progression of the diseases. However, it is important to eat in a healthy and balanced way, especially trying to limit red meats and cheeses, preferring lean fish, legumes and products with low animal fats, to reduce bad cholesterol and improve cardiovascular health. If you are undergoing chemotherapy or are losing weight, it is important to discuss the best diet with your doctor to avoid the risk of malnutrition.
The complete article is available on: https://www.alleatiperlasalute.it/alla-scoperta-di/la-milza-ingrossata-quali-rischi