Splenectomy may be considered in a very small number of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). When the spleen is enlarged and destroys red blood cells and platelets, a so-called splenectomy may be performed.
In addition, doctors often remove individual swollen lymph nodes to reduce local symptoms.
Sometimes, doctors need to surgically place a central venous catheter into a large vein in the chest. This catheter can be used as a route for administration of chemotherapy and other drugs, and can also be used to collect blood samples or to give blood transfusions if needed, thus avoiding repeated intravenous injections during treatment.
