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:: Definition :: Images :: Causes :: Symptoms :: Treatment :: Further Reading Search results last updated: 5/8/2009

hairy cell leukemia - Definition: (Source: MedicineNet)

Hairy cell leukemia: A form of chronic leukemia in which malignant B-lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell ) are seen in the bone marrow, spleen, and peripheral blood and when viewed under the microscope, these cells appear to be covered with tiny hair-like projections. Hairy cell leukemia represents 2% of all leukemia. ...
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hairy cell leukemia - Images (Source: MedLinePlus)
hairy cell leukemia, Bone marrow aspiration
Bone marrow aspiration
hairy cell leukemia, Auer rods
Auer rods
Hairy cell leukemia - microscopic view
Hairy cell leukemia - microscopic view
hairy cell leukemia, Formed elements of blood
Formed elements of blood
hairy cell leukemia, Enlarged spleen
Enlarged spleen

Causes of hairy cell leukemia (Source: MedLinePlus)
HCL is caused by the abnormal growth of B cells. The cells can 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 onset is 55. Hairy cell leukemia is rare. ...
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Symptoms of hairy cell leukemia (Source: MedLinePlus)
Easy bruising or bleeding; Excessive sweating (especially at night); Fatigue ; Feeling full after eating only a small amount; Recurrent infections and fevers; Swollen lymph glands ; Weakness ; Weight loss. ...
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hairy cell leukemia - Conventional Treatments (Source: MedLinePlus)
Treatment may not be needed for the early stages of this disease. Some patients may need an occasional blood transfusion. If treatment is needed because of very low blood counts, a variety of chemotherapy drugs can be used. A drug called interferon is also used. In most cases, chemotherapy can relieve the symptoms of the disease for many years. (When the signs and symptoms go away, you are said to be in remission.) Interferon can relieve symptoms but is unlikely to lead to remission. Removing the spleen may improve blood counts, but is unlikely to cure the disease. Antibiotics can be used to treat infections. People with low blood counts will receive growth factors and, possibly, transfusions. ...
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Further Reading on hairy cell leukemia

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