Hairy Cell Leukemia - Slow Growing Cancer

A very rare type of leukemia is hairy cell leukemia (HCL). It is slow growing and floods the body with B cells, which are a type of lymphocyte-white blood cell-that fights infection. Hairy cell leukemia is named after its hairy appearance. The cells have hairy projections called villi that protrude like fingers from the surface of the cells. HCL is a chronic disease, and it never develops into the more rapid growing form of leukemia. This disease strikes males and females between the ages of 40 and 70. Children and young adults do not get this disease.

Approximately 600 people a year are diagnosed with HCL in the USA. The diagnosis of HCL is done by having a bone marrow biopsy, studied by a pathologist. This disease can lead to an enlarged spleen, caused by pooling of blood in the spleen. Tumors grow within the spleen to impede the flow of blood causing the spleen to engorge. There is usually no treatment, but sometimes the spleen does have to be removed to prevent a rupture.
HCL causes a decrease in platelets, which in turn leads to the blood's inability to clot. If the spleen becomes swollen from tumors, the patient may complain of feeling a full feeling in the upper left quadrant of the abdominal area. The patient may complain of not feeling well, and may experience weight loss. It is unknown what causes HCL. There is no cure for HCL, but there are treatments to help enhance quality of life. Some people live symptom free for up to 10 years. This is considered a chronic disease because the patient may go into remission for years, though the disease will never go away.

Some people have HCL and never show any symptoms. They may find out they have this disease by having blood work done while being evaluated for another condition. If they do have symptoms, they may include: bruising easily, feeling tired all the time, weakness, unexplained weight loss, recurring infections and a full feeling in the abdomen that makes it uncomfortable to eat.