5 Things You Need to Know About Hairy Cell Leukemia

1. A Hairy Situation

Hairy cell leukemia is the rarest of five types of leukemia (the other four being chronic, acute, lymphocytic and myelogenous). It is a slow-progressing cancer of the blood or bone marrow. Hairy cell leukemia attacks a type of B white cell that fights infection called lymphocytes. These abnormal white cells display hair-like projections (vili) when observed under a microscope. As these abnormal cells multiply, there is less room for healthy white blood cells, red cells and platelets in the bloodstream and bone marrow.

2. Don't Ignore These Possible Signs

Most of the time, people who suffer from hairy cell leukemia don't display any symptoms at all, and the disease never gets any worse. For those who do show signs of the disease, most notably bruising easily. A feeling of fullness in the abdomen, weakness, shortness of breath, fatigue, frequent infections and a lump in the abdomen, neck, groin or underarm may also be indicative of hairy cell leukemia. It should be noted that these symptoms may also be signs of other diseases.

3. Risky Business

No scientific studies have conclusively shown what factors might play a part in increasing your risk of getting hairy cell leukemia, but some seem to indicate that this disease is more predominant in those with a family history of leukemia, male Ashkenazi or German Jews, and exposure to some agricultural and petroleum chemicals. Having had another form of cancer may make you more susceptible to hairy cell leukemia. Some studies have even shown a link between working with sawdust and the development of this disease. Again, none of these studies have been proven.

4. A Most Rare Diagnosis

Your chances, however, of being diagnosed with hairy cell leukemia is low. Less than 1,000 cases of this type of leukemia are seen in the United States each year. To arrive at that diagnosis, a complete physical exam including family history and a blood cell count (CBC) are among the first steps. Low counts of white cells, red cells and platelets might indicate hairy cell leukemia. A biopsy of the bone marrow may then be required. Finally, a CT scan can show an enlarged spleen or lymph nodes, which is another sign of hairy cell leukemia.

5. Wait and See

Because of the slow progress, or sometimes no progress, of this disease, a "wait and see" policy is usually adopted by a physician. The good news is that hairy cell leukemia can be treated the same way at any stage, unlike most cancers. Chemotherapy drugs have shown to be very effective in obtaining remission. Immunotherapy can boost the immune system to fight cancer cells. Though rarely performed, surgery to remove the spleen can lead to an increase in the production of healthy white cells.