A condition that makes your liver and spleen swell, HPM has many causes and may cause symptoms that include pain, fatigue, nausea and vomiting among many others.

Hepatosplenomegaly (HPM) is a disorder where both the liver and spleen swell beyond their normal size, due to one of a number of causes.

The name of this condition — hepatosplenomegaly — comes from the two words that comprise it:

Not all cases of HPM are severe. Some may be cleared up with minimal intervention. However, HPM can indicate a serious problem, such as a lysosomal storage disorder or cancer.

Roles of the liver and the spleen

The liver has a variety of roles including detoxifying your blood, synthesizing proteins, and fighting infections. It also has a key part in producing both amino acids and bile salts.

Your body needs iron to produce red blood cells, and your liver processes and stores that iron. Perhaps the most well-known of your liver’s roles is the processing of your body’s waste matter, which can then be excreted.

The spleen is one of your body’s organs that is, by and large, less understood by most people. The spleen has a key place in your immune system. It helps it to identify pathogens, which are bacteria, viruses, or microorganisms capable of causing diseases. It then creates antibodies to fight them.

Your spleen also purifies the blood and is made up of red and white pulp necessary to produce and purify blood cells. Learn even more about the spleen.

People with hepatosplenomegaly may report one or more of the following symptoms:

Other symptoms, which may be severe, include:

Hepatomegaly risk factors include:

Splenomegaly is caused by hepatomegaly about 30 percent of the time. There are many different potential causes of liver disease:

Infections

  • acute viral hepatitis
  • infectious mononucleosis, also known as glandular fever or the “kissing disease” and caused by the Epstein-Barr virus
  • cytomegalovirus, a condition in the herpes virus family
  • brucellosis, a virus transmitted via contaminated food or contact with an infected animal
  • malaria, a mosquito-borne infection that can be life-threatening
  • leishmaniasis, a disease caused by the parasite Leishmania and spread through the bite of a sand fly
  • schistosomiasis, which is caused by a parasitic worm infecting the urinary tract or intestines
  • septicemic plague, which is caused by a Yersinia pestis infection and can be life-threatening

Hematological diseases

  • myeloproliferative disorders, in which the bone marrow produces too many cells
  • leukemia, or cancer of the bone marrow
  • lymphoma, or a blood cell tumor originating in lymphatic cells
  • sickle cell anemia, a hereditary blood disorder found in children in which hemoglobin cells are not able to transfer oxygen
  • thalassemia, an inherited blood disorder in which hemoglobin is formed abnormally
  • myelofibrosis, a rare cancer of the bone marrow

Metabolic diseases

  • Niemann-Pick disease, a severe metabolic disorder involving fat accumulation in cells
  • Gaucher’s disease, a genetic condition that causes fat accumulation in different organs and cells
  • Hurler syndrome, a genetic disorder with increased risk of early death through organ damage

Other conditions

  • chronic liver disease, including chronic active hepatitis
  • amyloidosis, a rare, abnormal accumulation of folded proteins
  • systemic lupus erythematosus, the most common form of the autoimmune disease lupus
  • sarcoidosis, a condition in which inflammatory cells are seen in different organs
  • trypanosomiasis, a parasitic disease transmitted via the bite of an infected fly
  • multiple sulfatase deficiency, a rare enzyme deficiency
  • osteopetrosis, a rare inherited disorder in which bones are harder and denser than normal

In children

Common causes of hepatosplenomegaly in children can be summarized as follows:

  • newborns: storage disorders and thalassemia
  • infants: liver unable to process glucocerebroside, which can lead to severe damage to the central nervous system
  • older children: malaria, kala azar, enteric fever, and sepsis

These are a number of tests that your doctor may order to help make a definitive diagnosis of hepatosplenomegaly. These are:

  • an ultrasound, which is typically recommended after an abdominal mass is found during a physical exam
  • a CT scan, which can reveal an enlarged liver or spleen as well as surrounding organs
  • blood tests, including a liver function test and a blood clotting test
  • an MRI scan to confirm diagnosis after physical examination

The most common complications of hepatosplenomegaly are:

  • bleeding
  • blood in stool
  • blood in vomit
  • liver failure
  • encephalopathy

Treatments for hepatosplenomegaly can vary from person to person depending on the cause of the condition.

As a result, the best course of action for you is to talk to your doctor about your diagnosis and recommendation of treatment.

They may suggest:

  • Making lifestyle changes in consultation with your doctor. Your general aims should be to stop drinking or, at least, reduce your alcohol intake as much as possible; exercise as regularly as you are able; and enjoy a healthy diet. Here are some tips for sticking with a healthy diet.
  • Rest, hydration, and medication. Some less severe infections that lead to hepatosplenomegaly may be treated simply with appropriate medications and rest while making sure that you don’t become dehydrated. If you have an infectious condition, your treatment will be two-fold: medication to ease symptoms and specific medication to remove the infectious microorganism.
  • Cancer treatments. When the underlying cause is cancer, you need suitable treatments that may include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery to remove the tumor.
  • Liver transplant. If your case is severe, such as being in the final stages of cirrhosis, you may require a liver transplant. Learn the facts about liver transplant.

Owing to the wide variety of causes, hepatosplenomegaly has no one specific outcome. Your situation depends on a variety of factors, including the cause, the seriousness, and the treatment you receive.

The earlier HPM is diagnosed and treated, the better. See your doctor if you notice unusual symptoms or suspect something is wrong.

Because the causes of hepatosplenomegaly are so diverse, it can’t always be prevented. However, a healthy lifestyle can only help. Avoid alcohol, get plenty of exercise, and consume a healthy diet to help minimize most of the common risk factors.