Hairy cell leukemia: Outlook, treatment, and what to expect – Medical News Today
By daniellenierenberg
Hairy cell leukemia is a rare type of blood cancer that can affect adults. In people who receive treatment, the long-term outlook for hairy cell leukemia is good.
Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) occurs when bone marrow produces too many white blood cells called lymphocytes.
The disease gets its name from the hairlike projections on its cells. HCL cells can affect the bone marrow, spleen, liver, and lymph nodes.
According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders, HCL is more common in males over the age of 50 years.
HCL affects roughly 6,000 people in the United States, with around 600800 new diagnoses each year. Around 12% of all adult leukemias are HCL.
In many cases, the long-term outlook for HCL is good, with people often continuing to live good-quality lives for years with medical care.
In this article, we look at the outlook and survival rates for HCL, the risk of secondary cancers, and treatment options.
Learn about the symptoms of HCL here.
HCL is a chronic disease, and although there is no cure for it, the condition is treatable. Treatment is usually highly effective and can help people continue to live normal lives.
According to the National Cancer Institute, HCL progresses slowly or does not worsen at all.
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society reports that the 5-year event-free survival rate for HCL is 90% in people who received initial treatment with the chemotherapy drug cladribine. This means 90% of people will still be alive 5 years after diagnosis.
Treatment with cladribine has led to roughly 85% complete remission and around 10% partial response in people with HCL.
A 2020 study looked at survival rates in 279 people diagnosed with HCL between 1980 and 2011. The median age of the participants was 59 years old. In 208 of the participants, the first-line treatments were the drugs cladribine or pentostatin.
A 10-year follow-up found that the median survival rate was 27 years overall, with 11 years of relapse-free survival. There was a relapse rate of 39%. The study concluded that people with HCL have a good long-term outlook.
Research suggests that there may be racial disparities in HCL outcomes. A 2015 study included participants of the following racial groups:
The study found that the 10-year survival rate was worse in African American participants than in those of other racial groups.
Half of African American participants were alive at the 10-year follow-up, whereas more than two-thirds of those in other racial groups were alive at the follow-up.
The researchers concluded that the biological, socioeconomic, and health system factors contributing to this disparity need further investigation.
According to a 2020 study, people with HCL have an increased risk of secondary cancer.
Among 279 participants, 59 people developed at least one secondary cancer. The most common secondary cancers were prostate cancer, nonmelanoma skin cancer, and blood cancers.
The study did not find that treatment with purine analogs, such as cladribine or pentostatin, was a risk factor for secondary cancers.
However, according to the National Cancer Institute, cladribine and pentostatin may increase the risk of Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Some research suggests that HCL and its effects on the body may increase the risk of secondary cancer.
People with HCL must attend regular cancer screenings to detect any early signs of secondary cancer.
Blood cell changes in those with HCL may result in compromised immune systems, making people more susceptible to infection or autoimmune disease.
HCL responds very well to treatment, which aims to manage the cancer rather than cure it.
Unlike with many other types of cancer, doctors may choose to wait before starting treatment.
Doctors will monitor the condition and may only begin treatment if they believe it is necessary to control it. This can help avoid any unnecessary side effects of treatment.
The type of treatment will depend on each condition but may include the following:
Cladribine and pentostatin are purine analogs, which are the first-line treatment for HCL.
According to the Hairy Cell Leukemia Foundation, both medications are highly effective treatments and can result in long-term remission.
In 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved another drug, moxetumomab pasudotox, to treat HCL. Doctors may use this drug in people who have not responded to standard therapies.
Interferon is a drug that doctors may use to treat HCL. Interferon uses the bodys immune system to help fight off cancer. Interferon affects how cancer cells divide and helps slow tumor growth.
Doctors may also use a biologic drug called rituximab, known by the brand name Rituxan, if people with HCL have not responded to other treatments. Rituximab is an antibody that attaches to HCL cells. Doctors may also use rituximab in combination with chemotherapy as a first-line treatment.
Targeted therapies use medications or other substances to find and destroy cancer cells. Targeted therapies may cause less harm to healthy cells than other treatments, such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
One type of targeted therapy to treat HCL is monoclonal antibody therapy. A laboratory creates antibodies that attach to cancer cells and destroy them or prevent them from growing and spreading. The biologic drug rituximab is an example of a monoclonal antibody.
Splenectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the spleen. This may be necessary if HCL causes an enlarged spleen.
However, doctors rarely perform splenectomy for HCL because there are medications that can effectively reduce the size of the spleen.
Learn more about immunotherapy for leukemia here.
Treatments for HCL can have the following side effects:
Cancer treatments may also cause other side effects, such as fatigue, appetite loss, or nausea.
Before starting treatment, people can discuss any potential side effects and the risks and benefits of each treatment option with their healthcare team.
Learn more about side effects here.
HCL is a rare type of leukemia. Other types of leukemia include:
HCL is a rare type of adult leukemia. It is more common in males over the age of 50 years.
The overall outlook for people with HCL is good. Treatment with chemotherapy drugs, such as cladribine and pentostatin, is highly effective and may result in long-term remission.
Treatments for HCL may have side effects. People can discuss any treatments potential risks and benefits with their healthcare team.
More here:
Hairy cell leukemia: Outlook, treatment, and what to expect - Medical News Today
- 001 Expansion of Stem Cells by Valproic Acid [Last Updated On: June 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 24th, 2011]
- 002 Cord Blood and Bone Marrow Stem Cells for Liver Failure [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2011]
- 003 Science behind Enhancing Adult Stem Cells for wellbeing [Last Updated On: June 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2011]
- 004 Stem cells Transplatation in Completed Paralyze Dog. [Last Updated On: June 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2011]
- 005 STEM CELLS - Bone Marrow Stem Cells (Balzitt).flv [Last Updated On: June 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 27th, 2011]
- 006 Bone Marrow Stem Cells/Gene Therapy [Last Updated On: June 28th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 28th, 2011]
- 007 Stem cells used for medical treatment [Last Updated On: June 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 30th, 2011]
- 008 STEM CELLS FOR OTHER USES Interview with Sam Smith.wmv [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2011]
- 009 Stem Cells Reversing Endothelial Senescence [Last Updated On: July 2nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 2nd, 2011]
- 010 Bone Marrow Stem Cells [Last Updated On: July 3rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 3rd, 2011]
- 011 Bone marrow transplantation HD, ENG subtitles [Last Updated On: July 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 5th, 2011]
- 012 Adult Stem Cells May Target and Repair Heart Attack Damage [Last Updated On: July 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2011]
- 013 Bone Marrow Stem Cell Applications [Last Updated On: July 8th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 8th, 2011]
- 014 Stem cells in bone marrow are being used to treat EB [Last Updated On: July 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 13th, 2011]
- 015 STEM CELLS FOR MACULAR DEGENERATION Sam Smith's story.wmv [Last Updated On: July 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 14th, 2011]
- 016 MS Cure - Progression [Last Updated On: July 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 14th, 2011]
- 017 Blind Girl get's cure you need to see to believe" [Last Updated On: July 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 17th, 2011]
- 018 From Surgical Repair to Stem Cell Repair: A Surgeon's Journey by Leonard Smith MD, FACS [Last Updated On: July 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 19th, 2011]
- 019 Bone Marrow Stem Cell Donation [Last Updated On: July 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 19th, 2011]
- 020 The potential of stem cells [Last Updated On: July 28th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 28th, 2011]
- 021 LifeCell in Kalaignar Seithigal,Sun News [Last Updated On: July 31st, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 31st, 2011]
- 022 Spirulina DLA Naturals [Last Updated On: August 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 6th, 2011]
- 023 Bill Lahti; stem cell nutrition stimulates wound repair for diabetic stroke victim [Last Updated On: August 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 6th, 2011]
- 024 Christian Drapeau Talk About - Adult Stem Cells and StemEnhance./StemTech [Last Updated On: August 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 7th, 2011]
- 025 "Bone Marrow Stem Cells" Donald Kohn [Last Updated On: August 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 14th, 2011]
- 026 Cancer Update: Autologus Stem Cell (Bone Marrow) Transplant [Last Updated On: September 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 4th, 2011]
- 027 Bone Marrow / Stem Cell Transplant Recovery Fund [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2011]
- 028 Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplantation: An Introduction, With Sonali Smith, MD [Last Updated On: September 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 9th, 2011]
- 029 Bone Marrow Stem Cell Transplant Live from Top US Hospital [Last Updated On: September 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 12th, 2011]
- 030 Adult Stem Cell Mobilization from Bone Marrow (Animation) [Last Updated On: September 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 12th, 2011]
- 031 MS Cure - Introduction to stem cell bone marrow transplant in Australia [Last Updated On: September 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 13th, 2011]
- 032 Immune Modulation by Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells [Last Updated On: September 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 14th, 2011]
- 033 Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant [Last Updated On: September 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 15th, 2011]
- 034 Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant Patients Share Their Stories [Last Updated On: September 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 20th, 2011]
- 035 Stem Cell Transplant India,Bone Marrow Transplant India,Sickle Cell Anemia Treatment India [Last Updated On: September 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 20th, 2011]
- 036 Bone Marrow Stem Cell Expansion by HOXB4 and p21 Knock Out [Last Updated On: September 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 21st, 2011]
- 037 Multiple Sclerosis, Stem Cells, and Hope, Part 2 [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2011]
- 038 Becoming a Blood Stem Cell Donor [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- 039 LittleBigPlanet 2 - Stem Cell Sackboy Quarter 4 Update (Bone Marrow Bugaloo) [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2011]
- 040 Can Stem Cell Prolotherapy or Bone Marrow Prolotherapy help articular cartilage defects? [Last Updated On: September 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 27th, 2011]
- 041 Mesenchymal stem cells and marrow stromal cells [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2011]
- 042 Bone Marrow Transplant and Stem Cell Transplant Treatment in India for International patients [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- 043 Bone Marrow Stem Cell Aspiration and Re-Injection with PRP for Osteoarthritis by Dr Adelson [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- 044 Selected Donor for Stem Cell, Bone Marrow [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- 045 Stem Cell Injections - Bone Marrow Prolotherapy - treatment for arthritis [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- 046 Nurses Discuss Special Bonds With Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant Patients [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- 047 Hagen's bone marrow collection part 1 [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- 048 Samsparks after bone marrow collection for stem cell treatm [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- 049 Chat w/ Dr. Maharaj, founder of S. FL. Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant Institute [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- 050 Bone Marrow - Stem Cell Prolotherapy [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- 051 MS Cure - Hickman line Insertion for stem cell/bone marrow transplant [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- 052 Bone Marrow Transplant Program Continues to Grow, Make a Difference [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- 053 Stem cell transplant in children: what to expect | Dana-Farber Cancer Institute [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- 054 LittleBigPlanet 2 - (WIP) Stem Cell Sackboy Bone Marrow Bugaloo [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- 055 Calum's stem cell donation for Anthony Nolan [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- 056 Stem Cell Treatment in New Jersey- Colon's story (Dr Damon Noto) [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- 057 How to be an Anthony Nolan blood stem cell donor [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- 058 Dr Steve talks about stem cells.mov [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- 059 Stem Cells extracted from bone marrow [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2011]
- 060 Webinar 1, Stem cell therapy basics, what is available today? [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2011]
- 061 Mesenchymal stem cells and marrow stromal cells---2nd--- [Last Updated On: October 8th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 8th, 2011]
- 062 Harvesting stem cells from horse bone marrow at UT [Last Updated On: October 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 12th, 2011]
- 063 Bone Marrow Stem Cells - Video [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2011]
- 064 Stem Cell Transplant Apheresis Method - Video [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- 065 Mantak Chia: Sumup stem cell (Berlin,Germany 2009) Part I : Bone marrow activate Stem cell - Video [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2011]
- 066 Stem Cell, Bone Marrow Transplants / Donations - Easy and life saving proceedure - Video [Last Updated On: October 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 18th, 2011]
- 067 HIV/AIDS: Spotlight on Stem Cell Research - Loren Leeds - Video [Last Updated On: October 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2011]
- 068 Sickle Cell Anemia: Stem Cell Gene Therapy - Donald Kohn - Video [Last Updated On: October 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2011]
- 069 Do you need a large number of stem cells injected for Bone Marrow Prolotherapy to work? - Video [Last Updated On: October 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 23rd, 2011]
- 070 What are stem cells? - Video [Last Updated On: October 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- 071 What is in situ Stem Cell Injection Therapy or Bone Marrow Prolotherapy? - Video [Last Updated On: October 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- 072 Stem Cells Research at Hadassah - Video [Last Updated On: October 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- 073 Blood or Bone Marrow Cells May Provide a Route to Healing Blood Vessels - Video [Last Updated On: October 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- 074 Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation #2 - Video [Last Updated On: October 28th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 28th, 2011]
- 075 Radiation - Sickle Cell Half Match Stem Cell Bone Marrow Transplant 2 - Video [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2011]
- 076 Sickle Cell Stem Cell Bone Marrow Transplant 3 - Video [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2011]
- 077 Macular degeneration - Stem Cell therapy (English subtitles) - Video [Last Updated On: November 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 13th, 2011]
- 078 Where Do The Stem Cells Come From? Hollywood | Los Angeles - Video [Last Updated On: November 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 13th, 2011]
- 079 Bone Marrow Stem Cell Injections - Video [Last Updated On: November 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 14th, 2011]
- 080 Diabetes- Stem cell therapy (english) - Video [Last Updated On: December 2nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 2nd, 2011]
