Splenectomy
Splenectomy is the surgical removal of the spleen, and it can be performed in chronic myeloid leukemia if the spleen is enlarged, causing symptoms or complications. The spleen may be “infiltrated” by the white blood cells if their level is too high and may in turn develop a complication known as hypersplenism, in which the spleen is “eating” cells at an accelerated rate, causing anemia or low platelet count. Vaccination may be needed before the removal because splenectomized patients have a high risk of developing some types of bacterial infections, including meningitis.