Splenic Neoplasm: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 2, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Splenic Neoplasm?
A primary care doctor usually checks the problem first, ordering tests and watching small growths over time. If treatment is needed, they refer the patient to a hematologist, an oncologist, or a surgeon. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is a splenic neoplasm?
A splenic neoplasm is an abnormal growth, or tumor, in the spleen. The spleen is an organ on the upper left side of the belly that helps filter blood and fight infection. Some of these growths are not cancer, and some are. Doctors often find them by accident during imaging tests done for other reasons.
The spleen sits behind the stomach and helps fight infection. A neoplasm is a new, abnormal growth of cells. Growths can be noncancerous, such as cysts and hemangiomas, or cancerous. Cancer rarely starts in the spleen itself; it more often spreads there, and blood cancers such as lymphoma often involve the spleen.
Symptoms
Many splenic growths cause no symptoms. When symptoms happen, they can include pain or fullness in the upper left belly, or feeling full quickly when eating. An enlarged spleen can also cause tiredness, frequent infections, or easy bruising.
Causes and who gets it
Doctors do not always know why these growths form. Noncancerous cysts can come from infections or injuries. Cancerous growths are more common in people with lymphoma or cancer elsewhere that has spread. These growths can happen at any age.
How doctors diagnose it
Doctors start with a physical exam and questions about symptoms. Imaging tests such as ultrasound or CT scans show the size and shape of the growth, and blood tests check how the body is working. Sometimes doctors take a small tissue sample.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the type of growth. Small noncancerous growths often need only regular imaging. Larger, painful, or possibly cancerous growths may need surgery to remove all or part of the spleen. If cancer is found, treatment can include chemotherapy or other cancer medicines.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor for ongoing upper left belly pain or feeling full after eating only a little. Get medical care for unexplained weight loss, fevers, night sweats, or extreme tiredness. Seek urgent care for severe belly pain or a belly injury, since an enlarged spleen can rupture.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance; a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can order tests, explain results, and monitor small growths. When a growth needs surgery or cancer treatment, they coordinate a referral and stay involved with follow-up care.
Common questions
Are all growths in the spleen cancer?
No. Many growths in the spleen are noncancerous, such as cysts or benign blood vessel tumors. Imaging tests and sometimes a tissue sample help doctors tell the difference.
Can I live without my spleen?
Yes, people can live without a spleen. However, it helps fight certain infections, so people without one need vaccinations and sometimes daily preventive medicine.
How do doctors treat a spleen tumor?
Surgeons usually remove the whole spleen in an operation called a splenectomy. Sometimes they remove only part of it, using open surgery or smaller cuts with a camera, called laparoscopic surgery.
Do small spleen growths always need treatment?
Often they do not. Doctors may recommend repeat imaging to make sure the growth is not changing. The plan depends on the type and size of the growth.
Sources
- PubMed Central - Primary and secondary neoplasms of the spleen
- PubMed Central - Common and Uncommon Splenic Lesions: A Review
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
