Our 24/7 cancer helpline provides information and answers for people dealing with cancer. We can connect you with trained cancer information specialists who will answer questions about a cancer diagnosis and provide guidance and a compassionate ear.
Our highly trained specialists are available 24/7 via phone and on weekdays can assist through online chat. We connect patients, caregivers, and family members with essential services and resources at every step of their cancer journey. Ask us how you can get involved and support the fight against cancer. Some of the topics we can assist with include:
Referrals to patient-related programs or resources
Donations, website, or event-related assistance
Tobacco-related topics
Volunteer opportunities
Cancer Information
For medical questions, we encourage you to review our information with your doctor.
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Leukemia cells spread widely throughout the bone marrow and other organs, so surgery can’t be used to cure this type of cancer. Surgery rarely has any role even in diagnosing chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), since a blood test or bone marrow aspiration and biopsy are usually all that's needed.
Still, surgery might be helpful as part of treatment for CML in certain situations.
Some people with CML need surgery to remove their spleen (splenectomy), but this is rare.
Problems caused by an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly)
The spleen often becomes enlarged in people with CML. This can lead to:
Belly pain and problems with eating. This can happen if the spleen grows so large that it presses on the stomach.
Low levels of red blood cells and platelets. One of the spleen's jobs is to remove worn-out blood cells from the bloodstream. If it gets too large, it can become overly active and remove too many blood cells.
Surgery to remove the spleen
If other treatments like targeted drugs don't help shrink the spleen, it may need to be removed with surgery. This operation can help improve the symptoms of an enlarged spleen, such as loss of appetite, belly pain, and low blood cell counts.
Most people have no problem living without a spleen. But without a spleen, you are at higher risk for certain bacterial infections. This is why doctors often recommend certain vaccines before the spleen is removed.
If your spleen has been removed, be sure to report any signs of infection to your health care team right away.
More information about surgery
For more general information about surgery as a treatment for cancer, see Cancer Surgery.