Role of splenectomy in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Abstract

Background: The benefit of splenectomy, performed for complications of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) including autoimmune hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, hypersplenism, and symptomatic splenomegaly, has not been clearly demonstrated. The objective of this study was to determine if splenectomy achieves a predictable hematologic and survival advantage over conventional chemotherapy in patients with CLL. Study Design: A retrospective review was performed of 77 consecutive patients with CLL who underwent splenectomy between 1970 and 1994 at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Indications for splenectomy, pre- and postoperative hematologic profiles, response to splenecto..