Expert: Meir Wetzler <B>M. D.</B> - 12/31/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hello, on Christmas Eve my son was having some bad stomach pain on his left side.  We took him to ER and they admited him an hour later. After being in the hospital for a day they released him and treferred me to an Oncologist.  Do they think my son has cancer?  Shouldnt they have kept him in the hospital to find out more?

ANSWER: Dear Ann,
There are several reasons for an enlarged spleen. Not all are malignant. The work up should not necessarily be done in the hospital. I'm confident that the oncologist will be able to sort this out relatively quickly.
Should you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely, Meir.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: but why does he need to see an Oncologist?  I feel like there not telling me something.  WHat other reasons would his spleen be enlarged?

Answer
Dear Ann,
Reasons for enlarged spleen stem from infections, liver diseases, storage diseases, autoimmune diseases and malignant disorders such as lymphoma, leukemias, and myeloproliferative diseases. I don't know why your son's physician sends him to see an oncologist and cannot interpret this from the data provided.
Should you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely, Meir.