Hairy cell leukemia

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Bone marrow aspiration

Auer rods

Hairy cell leukemia - microscopic view

Formed elements of blood

Hairy cell leukemia

Alternative Names:

Leukemic reticuloendotheliosis; HCL; Leukemia - hairy cell
Treatment:

Early in the course of the disease, no treatment may be necessary. Some patients may need an occasional blood transfusion.

text continues below

If treatment is needed because of very low blood counts, a variety of chemotherapy drugs (cladribine, pentostatin) can be used. Interferon is also used. In the majority of cases these drugs can produce a remission (complete relief from the disease) that lasts for many years. It is unclear if chemotherapy will cure the disease, however, because most patients will relapse over time.

The removal of the spleen may improve blood counts, but is unlikely to cure the disease. Symptomatic treatment of infections with antibiotics or low blood counts with growth factors and transfusions may be required.

Expectations (prognosis):

Newer treatments using chemotherapy have greatly improved the survival of patients with hairy cell leukemia. Most patients with hairy cell leukemia can expect to live 10 years or longer with the disease.

Complications:

The low blood counts caused by hairy cell leukemia can lead to infections, fatigue, and excessive bleeding.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if significant bleeding occurs. Also call if signs of infection are present, including persistent fever, cough, or general ill feeling.