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Old Thu Jan 25, 2007, 08:43 PM
Ruth Cuadra Ruth Cuadra is offline
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 616
Spleen removal usually comes up when the patient has low platelet counts that aren't improved by transfusions or when the spleen is enlarged, which it can be in some cases of MDS, leukemia, and lymphoma. Removing the spleen, in and of itself, is not likely to fully restore the blood counts of an MDS patient because it is the basic blood-producing marrow cells that are damaged. However, it might help the cells that are produced last longer.

According to the AA&MDSIF:
Quote:
In some subtypes of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), such as chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), the spleen can become very large. When it reaches 20 to 25 cm in length, it can cause reductions in peripheral blood counts. At that point, low dose radiation and/or removal of the spleen may be indicated, especially if it has become large enough to cause vascular problems.
The actual surgery may be done abdominally or laproscopically. If your Dad is a candidate for it, laproscopic surgery is much less invasive and easier to recover from.

I would question the doctors about the specific benefits they would expect for your Dad if he has the surgery and whether radiation to reduce the size of the spleen might help.

Regards,
Ruth Cuadra
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Diagnosed AA 10/96, MDS/RA 6/98, MUD/BMT 10/6/98
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