Hairy Cell Leukemia
Hairy cell leukemia is the most uncommon type of leukemia. Many people view it as a subset of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. According to Mayo Clinic, approximately 600 to 800 new cases are diagnosed each year. Middle-aged men are the most likely to be diagnosed with it, and it is rarely if ever seen in children.
Expand All Guide SectionsWhat is Hairy Cell Leukemia?
Hairy cell leukemia is a slow-growing disease in which the bone marrow makes too many ... read more »
Hairy Cell Leukemia Diagnosis and Treatment
Doctors use the same types of methods to diagnose and treat hairy cell leukemia as other types of blood cancers: bone marrow biopsies, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and occasionally surgery are a few of the procedures used.
Dulcinea's Insight
- One of the sites in this section discusses complementary and alternative treatments for hairy cell leukemia. To become more informed about alternative and complementary medicine, read the findingDulcinea Complementary and Alternative Medicine Web Guide.
- Many Web sites that detail hairy cell leukemia treatment are citing guidelines found in the Physicians Data Query (PDQ), a National Cancer Institute database that is reviewed and updated every month by a panel of specialists. Given that many sites pull information from this one, it is the only treatment site we list in this guide.
Dulcinea's Picks
For HCL diagnosis …
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
explains how hairy cell leukemia is diagnosed with blood and bone marrow tests.
For treatment …
The National Cancer Institute
describes standard and experimental treatments for hairy cell leukemia. A doctor might observe a patient’s condition, use chemotherapy, surgery or use a type of therapy that turns a person’s immune system on the cancer.
Adventist HealthCare
offers content from well-regarded information provider A.D.A.M. that explains what happens during a bone marrow aspiration, in which part of the marrow is removed so doctors can examine it. Another page describes a similar procedure, a bone marrow biopsy.
For complementary and alternative HCL treatments ...
Mayo Clinic
describes some of the complementary and alternative treatments, such as massage or acupuncture, which could help you with the side effects of hairy cell leukemia treatment. Complementary medicine can’t cure the disease but may help in dealing with symptoms and side effects. Be sure to talk to your doctor before starting any complementary and alternative treatment, as it could interfere with HCL treatment.
For clinical trials …
ClinicalTrials.gov
is a clearinghouse operated by the U.S. National Institutes of Health that lists clinical trials currently underway to research hairy cell leukemia. To learn more about clinical trials, speak to your doctor and read the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's guide.
Hairy Cell Leukemia Support
Though hairy cell leukemia is an uncommon disease, there are a few forums and blogs on the Web ... read more »
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