Hairy cell leukemia

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Auer rods	Bone marrow aspiration	Enlarged spleen	Formed elements of blood
Hairy cell leukemia - microscopic view

Leukemic reticuloendotheliosis; HCL; Leukemia - hairy cell

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Review Date: 07/29/2005
Reviewed By: William Matsui, M.D., Assistant Professor of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.