What is refractory hairy cell leukemia?

What is refractory hairy cell leukemia?

Some patients still have leukemia cells in their bone marrow after hairy cell leukemia treatment. This is called refractory leukemia. Some patients have a return of leukemia cells in the marrow and a decrease in normal blood cells after remission. This is called a relapse.

Can you recover from hairy cell leukemia?

Hairy cell leukemia is treatable, but not curable. While the cause is not known, the treatment is usually very effective in helping patients lead a normal life.

Is hairy cell leukemia a type of CLL?

Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is a rare subtype of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that progresses slowly. HCL is caused when bone marrow makes too many B cells (lymphocytes), a type of white blood cell that fights infection.

Can hairy cell leukemia lead to other cancers?

Some studies have found that people with hairy cell leukemia may have an increased risk of developing a second type of cancer. It isn’t clear whether this risk is due to hairy cell leukemia’s effect on the body or if the risk comes from the medications used to treat hairy cell leukemia.

Is hairy cell leukemia an autoimmune disease?

Background. Case reports suggest that hairy cell leukemia (HCL) may be associated with autoimmune conditions, however no systematic investigations in this area have been undertaken.

Can hairy cell leukemia spread?

Abnormal white blood cells can also build up in other parts of the body, such as the spleen and lymph nodes, or the liver. This can make your tummy (abdomen) swell and feel uncomfortable. The leukaemia cells can also spread to the brain in some people.

What is the life expectancy of someone with hairy cell leukemia?

Generally for people with hairy cell leukaemia: more than 95 out of every 100 (more than 95%) will survive their leukaemia for 5 years or more after they are diagnosed.

Can Roundup cause hairy cell leukemia?

A rare type of cancer known as hairy cell leukemia may be linked to exposure to Roundup herbicide, a popular weed killer used across the world in the growth of commercial crops and home gardens.

What is a hairy cell?

Hairy cell leukemia is a rare, slow-growing cancer of the blood in which your bone marrow makes too many B cells (lymphocytes), a type of white blood cell that fights infection. These excess B cells are abnormal and look “hairy” under a microscope.

Is hairy cell leukemia a form of lymphoma?

Hairy cell leukaemia variant Despite its name, it is classed as a form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It is very rare. Like classical hairy cell leukaemia, the abnormal cells in HCL-V look hairy under a microscope.