Hairy Cell Leukemia
Source: www.leukemia-lymphoma.org
Topic: Leukemia
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Sort Desciption: Hairy cell leukemia is a form of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). CLL is caused by an abnormal change in a B lymphocyte (a type of white cell). The disease is called hairy cell leukemia because ...
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Hairy cell leukemia is a form of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). CLL is caused by an abnormal change in a B lymphocyte (a type of white cell). The disease is called hairy cell leukemia because the leukemic lymphocytes have short, thin projections on their surfaces that look like hairs when examined under a microscope. There are an estimated 500 to 800 cases of hairy cell leukemia in the United States each year. The cause of hairy cell leukemia is not known. Further, there is no established direct link between the disease and exposure to environmental toxins. How is hairy cell leukemia diagnosed? Symptoms and Signs The symptoms of hairy cell leukemia are nonspecific and resemble those of some other illnesses. The two most important findings that lead to a diagnosis of hairy cell leukemia are: An enlarged spleen An unexpected decrease in normal blood cell counts. Some patients first become aware of the disease because of fever, chills and other signs of infection. Patients may also have: Discomfort or fullness in the upper left side of the abdomen as the result of an enlarged spleen Unexplained weight loss. Although the hairy cells are abnormal types of lymphocytes, lymph nodes do not usually become enlarged. Rather, hairy cells accumulate in the marrow, liver and spleen (probably where these cells grow or survive best). www.LLS.org IRC 800.955.4572 Published as a public service by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society 1311 Mamaroneck Avenue White Plains, NY 10605 Information Resource Center (IRC) 800.955.4572 FAC T S L E U K E M I A LY M P H O M A M Y E LO M A In the course of the disease, normal blood cell production is disrupted by the accumulation of hairy cells in the marrow. Patients may have: Anemia (a deficiency of red cells) Thrombocytopenia (a deficiency of platelets) Neutropenia and monocytopenia (a deficiency of neutrophils and ...
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