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Hairy Cell Leukemia |
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Hairy cell leukemia is a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes too many lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell). Hairy cell leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. This rare type of leukemia gets worse slowly or not at all. The disease is called hairy cell leukemia because the leukemia cells look "hairy" when viewed under a microscope. Normally, the bone marrow produces stem cells (immature cells) that develop into mature blood cells. There are 3 types of mature blood cells: Red blood cells that carry oxygen and other materials to all tissues of the body. White blood cells that fight infection and disease. Platelets that help prevent bleeding by causing blood clots to form. In hairy cell leukemia, too many stem cells develop into a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes. These lymphocytes may also be called leukemic cells. There are 3 types of lymphocytes. B lymphocytes that make antibodies to help fight infection. T lymphocytes that help B lymphocytes make antibodies to help fight infection. Natural killer cells that attack cancer cells and viruses. In hairy cell leukemia, the B lymphocytes do not work normally. Also, as the number of lymphocytes increases in the blood and bone marrow, there is less room for healthy white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. This may cause infection, anemia, and easy bleeding. Some of the leukemia cells may collect in the spleen and cause it to swell. Gender and age may affect the risk of developing hairy cell leukemia. The cause of hairy cell leukemia is unknown. It occurs more often in older men. |
