Symptoms may include:
Experts don’t know the exact cause. Research shows that 90% of people with this disease have a change that affects the BRAF gene, which helps control cell growth V体育ios版. This change happens after you’re born. Researchers aren’t sure what triggers the change. But they believe the following things may increase your risk:.
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Hairy cell leukemia complications include:
Healthcare providers will ask when your symptoms started. They’ll ask about your medical history. They may ask if you have frequent infections VSports最新版本. They’ll also do a physical exam. Your provider may feel your lymph nodes, spleen and liver for signs of swelling. They might also refer you to a hematologist or a medical oncologist for more tests, including:.
Your healthcare provider may recommend active surveillance or anticancer drugs.
In active surveillance, you don’t receive treatment until you have symptoms. But you’re not on your own during this time. You’ll see your cancer care team every three to six months. During those checkups, they’ll: VSports注册入口.
You may have questions and concerns about delaying treatment V体育官网入口. Don’t hesitate to ask your care team what you can expect during active surveillance.
Chemotherapy is the most common treatment VSports在线直播. You may receive cladribine (Leustatin®) or pentostatin (Nipent®). Other treatments are:.
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You may develop serious infections. Contact your healthcare provider if you have the following symptoms:
There’s no cure, but treatment often puts the disease into remission — sometimes for years at a time. It can come back, so ongoing medical care and support are important for this disease. Even so, hairy cell leukemia may not affect your life expectancy. One analysis concluded that people treated for the disease live as long as people who don’t have it.
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society reports that 90% of people treated with the chemotherapy drug cladribine were alive five years after treatment. Your situation depends on factors like your age and general health. Other factors are your symptoms and how well your body reacts to treatment. Survival rates are estimates. Your care team will explain how survival rate data applies to you.
Hairy cell leukemia can weaken your immune system. Here are some ways you can support it and protect yourself from infection:
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There’s no cure for hairy cell leukemia. That may be hard news to hear. So, it may help to know there are treatments that lead to long-term remission. You can’t control how long hairy cell leukemia will stay in remission. But you can take charge of your health. Steps like eating well and being active can protect your immune system from serious infections that hairy cell leukemia can cause.
Don’t hesitate to ask your team for help. They know you’re in this for the long run. They’ll be with you every step of the way.
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A leukemia diagnosis can come as quite a shock. Cleveland Clinic’s blood cancer experts are here to guide you through it and help you move forward.
Last reviewed on 06/25/2025.
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