Hairy Cell Leukemia

Hairy Cell Leukemia

It is the type blood cancer in which abnormal number b cells produce. B cells are the type of white blood cells which is involved in the immune function of your body. It is mostly occurred in men than women.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms include:HAIRY CELL LEUKEMIA SYMPTOMS CAUSES TREATMENT

  • Easy bruising
  • Fatigue
  • Abdominal discomfort
  • Weight loss
  • Weakness
  • Anemia
  • Infections
Causes

The exact cause of hairy cell leukemia is not known yet but mutation in DNA in the cells of bone marrow involved in the development of hairy cell leukemia.

Complications

If left untreated it may cause the following complications:

  • Infections due to the abnormal white cell production.
  • Bleeding
  • Anemia
  • Increase risk of other type of cancers 
Diagnosis

Following are the diagnostic test for leukemias:

  • Blood test to check the complete blood count.
  • Physical examination of abdomen to check the enlargement of spleen and liver and tenderness in abdomen.
  • Bone marrow biopsy to check the type and stage of cancer.
  • CT scan for detail image of spleen and lymph nodes.
Treatment

Treatment option include:

  • Chemotherapy to kill the offending cells with the help of the chemotherapy drugs like cladribine and pentostatin.
  • Rituximab which is the monoclonal antibody use to kill cancerous cells.
  • Bone marrow transplant surgery
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