Hairy Cell Leukemia (Cont.)

Stages of Hairy Cell Leukemia

Staging is the process that is used to determine how far the cancer has spread. However, there is no standard staging system for hairy cell leukemia. Instead, the disease is grouped as:
 
  • Untreated
  • Progressive
  • Refractory.
 
(Click Hairy Cell Leukemia Stages for more information.)
 

Treatment for Hairy Cell Leukemia

The hairy cell leukemia treatment options may depend on factors such as:
 
  • Whether the spleen is swollen
  • Whether there are symptoms of leukemia, such as infection
  • Whether the leukemia has recurred (come back) after previous treatment
  • The number of hairy (leukemia) cells and healthy blood cells in the blood and bone marrow.

 

(Click Hairy Cell Leukemia Treatment for more information.)

 

Prognosis for Hairy Cell Leukemia

The prognosis of hairy cell leukemia will depend on:
 
  • Whether the hairy cell leukemia does not grow
  • Whether the hairy cell leukemia grows so slowly it does not need treatment
  • Whether the hairy cell leukemia responds to treatment.
 
Treatment often results in a long-lasting remission (a period during which some or all of the signs and symptoms of the leukemia are gone). If the leukemia returns after it has been in remission, additional treatment often causes another remission.
 

Hairy Cell Leukemia: Key Points

Key information about hairy cell leukemia includes the following:
 
  • Hairy cell leukemia is a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes too many lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell)
 
  • Gender and age may affect the risk of developing hairy cell leukemia
 
  • Possible signs of hairy cell leukemia include tiredness, infections, and pain below the ribs
 
  • Tests that examine the blood and bone marrow are used to detect and diagnose hairy cell leukemia
 
  • Examples of factors that may affect treatment of the cancer include whether the spleen is swollen, whether there are symptoms of leukemia, and whether the hairy cell leukemia has recurred.

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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD