Hairy Cell Leukemia

Overview

Hairy cell leukemia is a rare type of cancer of the white blood cells. It is named hairy cell leukemia because of its hair-like strands around cancerous cells that are visible under the microscope. 

Signs and Symptoms

Abdominal pain or discomfort, Fullness in the abdomen especially under the ribs, Painless lumps, Unexplained weight loss, Bruising or bleeding easily, Pale-looking skin, Fever, Night sweats, Frequent infections, Weakness, Shortness of breath, Fatigue, Loss of appetite

Common Causes

BRAF-V600E kinase-activating mutation, Mutation in Krüppel-like Factor 2 (KLF2) transcription factor, Mutation in cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1B (CDKN1B) which is responsible for regulating the production of the protein p27, Overexpression of cyclin D1 protein

Risk Factors

People above the age of 50, Being a male, People of Ashkenazi Jews heritage, Previous radiotherapy treatment or other exposure to high doses of radiation, Occupational exposure to wood dust and agricultural or industrial chemicals such as organophosphorus insecticides and benzene, Previous history of medical conditions such as infectious mononucleosis

Investigation Techniques

Medical history, Physical examination, Full blood count , Peripheral blood smear, Blood chemistry studies, Trephine bone marrow aspiration and biopsy, Immunophenotyping, Flow cytometry, Cytogenetic analysis, BRAF gene testing, Ultrasound of the spleen and liver, Computerised tomography (CT) scan, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, Positron emission tomography (PET) scan

Treatment and Prevention

Watchful waiting, Surgery such as splenectomy, Chemotherapy using drugs such as cladribine and pentostatin, Biological treatments using drugs such as interferon alfa, Targeted therapy using a monoclonal antibody known as rituximab, Palliative care