What Are Treatments For Hairy Cell Leukemia?

Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is a rare, slow-growing cancer of the blood in which your bone marrow makes too many B cells (lymphocytes), a type of white blood cell that fights infection. These excess B cells are abnormal and look "hairy" under a microscope. As they multiply, they crowd out healthy blood cells in the bone marrow. Various treatments are available for hairy cell leukemia, and many people with this type of cancer can lead a normal life for many years. The choice of treatment depends on the severity of symptoms, which can include fatigue, infection, and pain below the ribs.

1. Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the main treatment for HCL. This treatment uses drugs to kill cancer cells. The drugs for HCL are typically given through a vein in your arm. The most commonly used drugs are cladribine (Leustatin) and pentostatin (Nipent). These drugs are very effective at killing leukemia cells and can lead to a long-term remission of the disease.

2. Biological Therapy

Biological therapy, also known as immunotherapy, is a treatment that uses the patient's immune system to fight cancer. Interferon is a type of biological therapy used in the treatment of HCL. It can slow the growth of the leukemia cells and help the immune system destroy them. However, it's less effective than chemotherapy and is usually reserved for people who can't have chemotherapy.

3. Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy uses drugs that attack specific parts of cancer cells. For HCL, the targeted therapy drug used is called rituximab (Rituxan). Rituximab targets a specific protein on B cells and helps the immune system destroy these cells. It's often used in combination with chemotherapy.

4. Surgery

In some cases, surgery to remove the spleen (splenectomy) may be an option. This is usually done if the spleen is enlarged and causing discomfort or if the disease isn't responding to other treatments. However, surgery is less commonly used today because of the effectiveness of drugs like cladribine and pentostatin.

5. Watchful Waiting

For some people with HCL who have no symptoms, immediate treatment may not be necessary. Instead, doctors may suggest a strategy known as watchful waiting. This involves closely monitoring the patient's condition through regular check-ups and beginning treatment if symptoms appear or change.

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?
• How Is Hairy Cell Leukemia Staged And Classified?