Table of Contents
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Treatment
- Prevention
- Images
Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is an unusual cancer of the blood. It affects B cells, a type of white blood cell (lymphocyte).
Alternative Names
Leukemic reticuloendotheliosis; HCL; Leukemia - hairy cell
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
HCL is caused by the abnormal growth of B cells. The cells look "hairy" under the microscope because they have fine projections coming from their surface.
HCL can lead to low numbers of normal blood cells.
The cause of this disease is unknown. It affects men more often than women. The average age of diagnosis is 55.
Images
Review Date: 09/06/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of
General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington
School of Medicine; James R. Mason, MD, Oncologist, Director, Blood
and Marrow Transplantation Program and Stem Cell Processing Lab,
Scripps Clinic, Torrey Pines, California. Also reviewed by David
Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
