How is Hairy Cell Leukemia Staged and Classified?

Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is a rare type of chronic leukemia that affects B lymphocytes. Unlike other types of cancer, HCL does not have a formal staging system. This is primarily because HCL is usually found in the blood and bone marrow, and it does not usually form tumors that can be measured or staged. Instead, the severity of HCL is often determined by the number of hairy cells in the blood, the degree of bone marrow infiltration, and the presence of symptoms.

Classification of Hairy Cell Leukemia

HCL is classified into two types: classic HCL and HCL variant (HCL-V). Classic HCL is the more common type and is characterized by cells that have a "hairy" appearance under a microscope. These cells also test positive for a marker called CD103. HCL-V is less common and the cells do not have the same "hairy" appearance. They also do not test positive for CD103. HCL-V is often more aggressive and less responsive to standard HCL treatments.

Phases of Hairy Cell Leukemia

While there is no formal staging system for HCL, the disease can be described in terms of three phases: early, intermediate, and advanced.

• Early phase: In the early phase, patients may not have any symptoms. The disease is often discovered during routine blood tests when a high white blood cell count is detected.
• Intermediate phase: In the intermediate phase, patients may start to experience symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and frequent infections. Blood tests may show a high white blood cell count and low red blood cell and platelet counts.
• Advanced phase: In the advanced phase, symptoms become more severe and may include significant fatigue, frequent infections, and bleeding or bruising. Blood tests may show very high white blood cell counts and very low red blood cell and platelet counts. The spleen may also be enlarged.

Want to Learn More About Hairy Cell Leukemia?

Keep reading HealthTree for Hairy Cell Leukemia's 101 pages!

• What Is Hairy Cell Leukemia?
• How Is Hairy Cell Leukemia Diagnosed?
• How Long Will I Live With Hairy Cell Leukemia?
• What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Hairy Cell Leukemia?
• What Are Treatments For Hairy Cell Leukemia?