How does ITP affect the spleen?

How does ITP affect the spleen?

The spleen acts like a large lymph node, helping to maintain a healthy immune system and cleaning the blood of foreign matter. In ITP, the antibody-coated platelets are often removed from circulation by the spleen. Theoretically, if the spleen is removed, the platelets will remain in the blood stream.

Does chronic ITP have splenomegaly?

Chronic ITP lasts for more than 1 year, and 10% of individuals with chronic ITP have splenomegaly. ITP may be seen alone or sometimes as part of Evan’s syndrome (with autoimmune hemolytic anemia).

Does spleen removal cure ITP?

Splenectomy is an effective therapy for steroid-refractory or dependent immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). With the advent of medical alternatives such as rituximab and thrombopoietin receptor antagonists, the use of splenectomy has declined and is generally reserved for patients that fail multiple medical therapies.

Does spleen affect platelets?

An enlarged spleen — which can be caused by a number of disorders — can harbor too many platelets, which decreases the number of platelets in circulation.

Why is spleen removed for ITP?

Why remove the spleen? In people with ITP the immune system treats platelets as foreign and destroys them. The spleen is responsible for removing these damaged platelets and therefore removal of the spleen can help to keep more platelets circulating in the body.

How does the spleen destroy platelets?

In general, your platelet count drops in ITP because your body makes antibodies that attach to the platelets to mark them for destruction. When these platelets flow through the spleen (an organ in the abdomen that filters blood), it recognizes these antibodies and destroys the platelets.

Why does ITP cause splenomegaly?

Thrombocytopenia of hypersplenism is caused primarily by increased splenic platelet pooling. A massively enlarged spleen can hold more than 90% of the total platelet mass. In the absence of altered platelet production, the total body platelet mass usually is normal, and the platelet life span is near normal.

Can you live a normal life without a spleen?

Some people are born without a spleen or need to have it removed because of illness or injury. The spleen is a fist-sized organ in the upper left side of your abdomen, next to your stomach and behind your left ribs. It’s an important part of your immune system, but you can survive without it.

Why does removing spleen help ITP?

What causes the spleen to destroy platelets?

When is ITP splenectomy needed?

Splenectomy in adults should be considered in patients who fail to respond to steroids, develop thrombocytopenia after taper, or develop steroid toxicity. Ninety per cent of children will maintain normal platelet counts in 9 to 12 months. Some will recover spontaneously without medical therapy.

Can no spleen cause high platelets?

Platelet counts after splenectomy have been reported to increase 30% to 100%, with a peak reached at 7 to 20 days postoperatively (3). Common complications of thrombocytosis include thrombosis and hemorrhage.

What causes platelets to be trapped in the spleen?

Enlarged spleen caused by cirrhosis of the liver or Gaucher disease. The enlarged spleen traps platelets and other blood cells and prevents them from circulating in the blood stream. Exposure to toxic chemicals, including arsenic, benzene and pesticides.

Are you immunocompromised if you don’t have a spleen?

However, with the loss of the lymphoid tissue in the spleen, the immune system fights infections with a bit of a handicap. That’s why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that people without a spleen get vaccinated against preventable diseases, including influenza (flu).

Does ITP shorten lifespan?

Refractory ITP is defined as ITP that doesn’t respond well to treatment. While it’s a rare form of the condition, individuals in this group are at the greatest risk for reduced life expectancy due to bleeding and infection.

Is ITP a terminal illness?

Yes, ITP can potentially be fatal. However, that could be said for virtually every disease, including many which are usually not very serious. Extremely rare but fatal complications can occur from strep throats, the common cold (which may lead to pneumonia), chickenpox, or what seems to be a mild case of indigestion.