Hairy cell leukemia is a type of cancer which originates in the bone marrow and affects a type of white blood cell called a B cell. The cancerous cells appear hairy when viewed under a microscope. The cause of hairy cell leukemia is unknown, but it typically affects people around the age of fifty-five, and is more common in men than in women.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of hairy cell leukemia, according to Medline, are fatigue and weakness, coupled with an enlarged spleen, which can cause patients to feel full after eating only a small amount of food. Patients also often develop night sweats and have problems with blood clotting, leading to easy bruising and bleeding. Patients can also experience recurring infections and illnesses because of a weakened immune system, as well as weight loss.
Risk Factors
A number of risk factors can predispose a patient to developing hairy cell leukemia, according to the Mayo Clinic. People who have been exposed to radiation (potentially due to working with X-rays or who have received radiation treatments) are more likely to develop this form of cancer. Some chemicals involved in agriculture and manufacturing can predispose patients to this disease. The Mayo Clinic notes that exposure to sawdust may be a factor in hairy cell leukemia, though the mechanism by which this increases a person's risk has not been conclusively studied.
Diagnosis
An enlarged spleen and swollen lymph nodes, which may be discovered during a physical examination, can be signs of hairy cell leukemia. Patients with hairy cell leukemia also have low numbers of red and white blood cells as well as diminished quantities of platelets. These findings may be discovered using a blood test called a complete blood count. A bone marrow biopsy and a CT scan can also be used to definitively diagnose the disease.
Complications
The main complications caused by hairy cell leukemia are related to the abnormally low levels of cells in the blood. Low quantities of red blood cells cause anemia, which can lead to chronic fatigue. The low quantities of white blood cells put the body at risk of developing infections. Low platelet counts make it difficult for the blood to clot. Patients with hairy cell leukemia can also develop another kind of cancer, known as lymphoma.
Treatment
Hairy cell leukemia can be treated with chemotherapy, which uses medications such as pentostatin and cladribine to poison the cancer cells, or with alpha interferon, which boosts the immune system and helps it fend off the cancer. If the spleen is enlarged because of the cancer and is causing pain or other problems, it can be surgically removed.
