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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.

Splenectomy for people with CML

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.