Incidentally Detected Splenomegaly and Risk of Hematologic Cancer and Liver Disease

At which spleen size are individuals at substantially increased risk of underlying hematologic cancer or liver disease?In this cohort study including 47 066 individuals from the general population in Denmark and the UK, absolute 5-year risk of any hematologic cancer was moderately increased for spleen lengths of 130 to 139 mm or spleen volumes of 400 to 499 mL and markedly increased for spleen lengths of 140 mm or greater or spleen volumes of 500 mL or greater.Individuals with incidentally detected spleen length of 140 mm or greater or spleen volume of 500 mL or greater had markedly increased risk of hematologic cancer likely warranting work-up, whereas asymptomatic individuals with spleen length less than 130 mm or spleen volume less than 400 mL may have limited benefit from evaluation for hematologic cancer; however, it is important to assess patients in context of the underlying reason for imaging.

Corresponding Author: Jens Helby, MD, PhD, Danish Red Blood Cell Center, Department of Haematology, Copenhagen University Hospital – Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark (jens.helby.petersen.02@regionh.dk).

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