Treatment of Hairy Cell Leukemia
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University Hospital Ulm
Department of Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Care, Rheumatology and Infectology
University Hospital Freiburg
Department of Hematology and Oncology
University Hospital Heidelberg
Department of Hematology, Oncology, Adult and Pediatric Rheumatology
University Hospital Frankfurt am Main
Department of Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology, Rheumatology and Infectology
University Hospital RWTH Aachen
Department of Oncology and Hematology
University Hospital Würzburg
Department of Gastroenterology, Hematology, Oncology, Hepatology, Infectology, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology
University Hospital Erlangen
Department of Hematology and Oncology
University Hospital Halle (Saale)
Department of Hematology and Oncology
University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf
Department of Hematology, Oncology and Pulmonology
Charite University Hospital Berlin
Charité Comprehensive Cancer Center
University Hospital Bonn
Department of Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Immunoncology
University Hospital Giessen UKGM
Department of Oncology, Hematology and Palliative Care
University Hospital of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
Department of Oncology and Hematology
University Hospital Marburg UKGM
Department of Hematology, Oncology and Immunology
University Hospital Muenster
Department of Hematology, Hemostaseology, Oncology and Pulmonology
Hairy cell leukemia is a rare type of leukemia, which develops if the bone marrow produces too many lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are white blood cells and, as part of the immune system, they are responsible for fighting various infections.
Hairy cell leukemia develops only when B cells start to divide abnormally. These B cells are a type of white blood cells that are responsible for producing antibodies and presenting antigens. Under the microscope, B cells look hairy, thus giving this condition its name. When B cells divide abnormally, the amount of red blood cells and healthy white blood cells drops.
Hairy cell leukemia usually develops very slowly and it can take years before it first manifests itself. This type of leukemia is more common in middle-aged and older people, particularly in men. Although it is possible to achieve remission, the condition cannot be cured completely. Nonetheless, people can live for years after hairy cell leukemia was first diagnosed.
Although the exact cause of hairy cell leukemia is not known, it is believed that this disease develops as a result of certain DNA mutations in the bone marrow, which lead to the abnormal production of B cells.
- Weakness
- Easy bruising
- Frequent infections and colds
- Weight loss
- Nausea
- Feeling full after just a few bites of food
- Pale skin
- Uncontrolled bleedings
- During a general examination the doctor will check patient’s lymph nodes (enlarged lymph nodes can be indicative of leukemia) and palpate abdomen to estimate size of the spleen (this can explain why the patient feels full after only a few bites of food).
- Blood test may reveal low levels of platelets, red and white blood cells.
- Bone marrow biopsy is performed in order to examine the B cells under the microscope and determine if they are abnormal.
- Anti-cancer chemotherapy drug pentostatin may be prescribed. This drug inhibits the division of abnormal B cells and kills already existing cancerous cells. It must be taken every three to six months to prevent the recurrence of hairy cell leukemia in the future.
- Treatment with interferon alpha may be prescribed. It is a biological treatment that is designed to prolong the period of remission by helping the immune system to fight cancerous cells and destroy them. It is usually prescribed if chemotherapy has not been successful or if the patient was not able to receive chemotherapy.
- Splenectomy is a surgical procedure whereby the spleen is removed if it is enlarged or inflamed. It also helps to normalize the blood count and to prolong the patient’s life.
Authors: Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova, Dr. Farrukh Ahmed