Hairy cell leukemia

Overview

Hairy cell leukemia is a rare, slow-growing cancer of the blood. This disease occurs when your bone marrow makes too many B cells, a type of white blood cell that fights off infections. These abnormal B cells, or leukemia cells, appear “hairy” under a microscope. Unlike healthy cells, these leukemia cells continue to live and accumulate in the body, leading to various symptoms. Despite its slow progression, hairy cell leukemia requires medical attention and, in some cases, treatment.

Types of Hairy cell leukemia

There are two main types of hairy cell leukemia:

1. Classic Hairy Cell Leukemia: This is the most common type of hairy cell leukemia. It is characterized by the slow progression of symptoms, which may not be noticeable until a routine blood test reveals an excess of B cells in the bloodstream.

2. Hairy Cell Leukemia Variant: This type of hairy cell leukemia is more aggressive and rare. The symptoms of this disease worsen much faster than those of classic hairy cell leukemia. Despite its similar name, it is considered a separate type of cancer.

Causes of Hairy cell leukemia

The exact cause of hairy cell leukemia is unknown. However, it is believed to involve mutations in DNA that cause your bone marrow to produce too many B cells. These cells undergo changes and become leukemia cells, which look “hairy” under a microscope.

Risk Factors of Hairy cell leukemia

Certain factors may increase your risk of developing hairy cell leukemia. These include:

• Age: Hairy cell leukemia is more common in middle-aged adults, although it can occur at any age.
• Gender: Men are more likely to develop hairy cell leukemia than women.
• Race: White people are more likely to develop this disease than people of other races.

Symptoms of Hairy cell leukemia

Preventions of Hairy cell leukemia

There’s no known way to prevent hairy cell leukemia. However, regular check-ups can help detect the disease early, which can improve your prognosis.

Diagnosis of Hairy cell leukemia

Diagnosing hairy cell leukemia involves several steps:

• Physical exam: Your doctor will check for physical signs of the disease, such as an enlarged spleen.
• Blood tests: These tests can reveal an excess of B cells in your bloodstream.
• Bone marrow tests: Your doctor may take a sample of your bone marrow to look for leukemia cells.
• Imaging tests: These tests can help your doctor check for an enlarged spleen or other signs of the disease.

Treatment for Hairy cell leukemia

Treatment for hairy cell leukemia usually involves chemotherapy, a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. In some cases, surgery may be needed to remove an enlarged spleen. Regular follow-up appointments are necessary to monitor your condition and adjust your treatment plan as needed.

When to seek medical attention ?

If you experience persistent fatigue, frequent infections, or easy bruising, you should seek medical attention. These could be signs of hairy cell leukemia or another serious condition.