American Board of Pathology (ABPath) Practice Test 2025 - Free Pathology Exam Practice Questions and Study Guide

The most common benign splenic mass is a hemangioma. These are vascular tumors composed of a mass of blood vessels, which can occur anywhere in the body but are particularly common in the spleen. They are usually asymptomatic and often discovered incidentally during imaging studies or surgical procedures for unrelated conditions.

The significance of identifying a hemangioma as a benign splenic mass lies in their generally favorable prognosis. Most hemangiomas do not require treatment unless they are large or symptomatic. In contrast, other splenic masses like hematomas may occur due to trauma, and while they are also benign, they represent a different clinical scenario that may require specific management based on size and symptoms. Adenomas, while primarily a concern in other organs like the liver, are less common when it comes to the spleen. Lymphangiomas are also rare, and while they are benign lesions, they do not have the same prevalence in the spleen as hemangiomas.