Hairy cell leukemia

1. HAIRY CELLLEUKEMIA Snippet: Hairy Cell Leukemiaarticle has reliable information about this disease. It covers major topics like Diagnosis, Prognosis, Symptoms, Treatment, survival rate,Causes. Cancer disease can always be a life threatening disease. There are some of the chronic type of cancers Hairy Cell Leukemia is one among them. The article Hairy Cell Leukemia has reliable information about this disease. It covers major topics like Diagnosis, Prognosis, Symptoms, Treatment, survival rate,Causes. 1. About Hairy CellLeukemia Hairy cell leukemia is a blood cancer which is rare and slowgrowing, in this type of cancer your bone marrow produces too much B cells (lymphocytes), a type of white blood cell that fightsinfections. These excess B cells are abnormal and look "hairy" under a microscope. There will be a increase in the number of leukemia, which will reduce healthy platelets, white blood cells and red blood cells areproduced. Hairy cell leukemia affects more males than females and occurs most often in middle-aged and older adults.

2. Hairy cell leukemia will be treated as a chronic disease because it will never go away completely, although treatment may lead to remission foryears. 2. Leukemia Symptoms Some people have no symptoms or signs of hairy cell leukemia, but a blood test for another disease or condition may inadvertently reveal Hairy CellLeukemia. • At other times, people with hairy cell leukemia have signs and symptoms common to a number of diseases and symptoms are listedbelow: • A feeling of fullness in your abdomen that can make it uncomfortable to eat more than a little at a time • Weightloss • Weakness • Recurrent infections • Easy bruise •Tired 2.1. When to see adoctor Try to consult your doctor if you have persistent signs and symptoms that worryyou. • LeukemiaCauses • It is not known what causes hairy cellleukemia. • Doctors know that cancer occurs when cells develop errors in their DNA. In this case, mutations in DNA cause bone marrow stem cells to create too many white blood cells that are not functioning properly. Doctors do not know what is causing the mutations in DNA that lead to hairy cellleukemia. • Riskfactors • Some factors may increase your risk of developing hairy cell leukemia. Not all research studies agree on which factors increase your risk of thedisease. According to some research studies the risk of Hairy Cell Leukemia increaseswith: 3.1.1. RadiationExposure

3. People exposed to radiation, such as those working around x-ray machines or those who have received radiation treatment for cancer, may be at a higher risk of developing hairy cell leukemia, but the proper evidence is notfound. • Exposure ToChemicals • Agricultural and Industrial chemicals may play a role in the development of hairy cell leukemia. However, some studies have found that this is not thecase. • Exposure ToSawdust • Some studies have found a link between working with sawdust and wood and an increased risk of hairy cell leukemia. But this is not provedconclusively. • Ethnicity • Men of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry more frequently suffered from this disease other than men from other ethnicgroups. • 4.Complications • Hairy cell leukemia progresses very slowly and sometimes remains stable for many years. For will result in few complications of the disease tooccur. • Untreated hairy cell leukemia that progresses can reduce healthy blood cells, resulting in serious side effects, suchas: • Infections • The low number of white blood cells puts you at risk forinfections. • Bleeding • The low platelet count makes it difficult for your body to stop bleeding if you get hurt. If your platelet count is moderately low, you may notice that you have bruises more easily. A very low platelet count may cause spontaneous bleeding of the gumsornose . • Anemia • A low number of red blood cells means fewer cells are available to carry oxygen to all parts of the body. This is called anemia. Anemia causesfatigue.

4. 4.4. Increased risk of secondcancer • Some studies have shown that people with hairy cell leukemia are at increased risk of developing a second type of cancer. It is unclear whether this risk is due to the effect of hairy cell leukemia on the body or whether the risk comes from the drugs used to treat hairy cellleukemia. • The second cancers found in people treated for hairy cell leukemia include non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, among others. • Diagnosis • To diagnose Hairy Cell Leukemia, your doctor may recommend tests thatinclude: • PhysicalExamination • By feeling your spleen - an oval shaped organ on the left side of your upper abdomen - your doctor can determine if it is enlarged. A hypertrophy of the spleen can cause a feeling of fullness in your abdomen that makes it uncomfortable toeat. • Your doctor may also look for enlarged lymph nodes that may contain leukemiacells. • Bloodtests • Your doctor uses blood tests, such as complete blood counts, to monitor the blood levels in your blood. • People with hairy cell leukemia have low levels of the three types of blood cells: platelets, red blood cells and white blood cells. Another blood test called peripheral blood smear looks for hair cell leukemia cells in a sample of yourblood. • Biopsy of the bonemarrow • During a bone marrow biopsy, a little part of bone marrow is removed from the hip area. This sample is used to look for ciliated cell leukemia cells and to monitor your healthy blood cells. • Computerized tomography(CT) • A scanner shows detailed pictures of the inside of your body. Your doctor may prescribe a CT scan to detect enlargement of your spleen and lymphnodes. • 6.Treatment

5. Treatment is not always necessary for people with hairy cell leukemia. Because this cancer advance to next stage very slowly and sometimes it will stop progressing, some people prefer to wait to treat their cancer only if it causes symptoms and signs. The majority of people with hairy cell leukemia should eventually betreated. • If your Hairy Cell Leukemia causes symptoms and signs, you may decide to seek treatment. There is no cure for Hairy Cell Leukemia. But the treatments are effective in putting hairy cell leukemia into remission foryears. • Chemotherapy • Doctors consider chemotherapy to be the first line of treatment for hairy cell leukemia. The vast majority of people will experience partial or complete remission through the use of chemotherapy. • Drugs used in Chemotherapyare: • Cladribine • Treatment of hairy cell leukemia usually begins with cladribine. A continuous infusion of the drug will be given into a vein for severaldays. • Most people who receive cladribine experience a complete remission that can last several years. If your hairy cell leukemia comes back, you can get cladribine again. Side effects of cladribine may include fever andinfection. • Pentostatin(Nipent) • Pentostatin causes remission rates similar to those of cladribine, but is administered according to a different schedule. People taking pentostatin receive infusions every two weeks for threeto • six months. Side effects of this drug may include infection, fever, andnausea. • BiologicalTreatments • Biological therapy attempts to make cancer cells more recognizable to immune system of your body. Once your immune system identifies cancer cells as intruders, it can begin to destroy yourcancer • Types of BiologicTreatments: • Interferon

6. Currently, the role of interferon in the treatment of hairy cell leukemia is limited. You may receive interferon if you can not take chemotherapy or if the chemotherapy has not been working for you. • Most people experience partial remission with this treatment, which is taken for a year. Side effects include flu-like signs, such as fatigue andfever. • 6.2.2. Rituximab(Rituxan) • Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody registered to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, although it is sometimes used in hairy cellleukemia. • If you cannot take chemotherapy or if the chemotherapy drugs did not work for you, your doctor might consider rituximab. Side effects of rituximab include infection andfever. • 6.3. Surgery • Surgery to remove your spleen (splenectomy) could be an option if it is enlarged and cause pain or if your spleen breaks.Although • elimination of the spleen can not cure hairy cell leukemia, a surgery can usually help to restore normal bloodcounts. • Splenectomy is not commonly used to treat hairy cell leukemia, but may be useful in some situations. Any procedure carries a risk of bleeding andinfection. • Alternative Medicine • Some people with cancer find that alternative and complementary treatments can help them cope with the side effects of cancertreatment. • Alternative and complementary medicine cannot cure your hairy cell leukemia, but it can offer helpful ways to cope after and during treatment. Talk to your doctor if you are interested in trying: • Acupuncture • A practitioner inserts tiny needles into your skin at specific points during an acupuncture session. Acupuncture can help relieve the vomiting and nausea caused bychemotherapy. • Acupuncture can be safe when done by a experienced practitionr. You can ask your doctor who may be able to recommend a practitioner in yourcommunity.

7. Acupuncture is not safe if you are taking blood thinners or if you have low bloodcounts. 7.2.Aromatherapy Here we use oils that give off pleasant scents, such as lavender. The oils can be massaged into your skin, added to the bath water or heated to release theirodors. Aromatherapy can help relieve stress. This method is safe, but oils applied to your skin can cause allergic reactions, so check the ingredientsfirst. 7.3. Massage A massage therapist uses his hands to knead your soft tissues and muscles. Massage can help relieve fatigue and anxiety. Many cancer centers have massage therapists who work with people with cancer. People with cancer should not receive massage if they have low blood counts. Ask the massage therapist to avoid using deep pressure. A massage should not hurt, so talk if you feel pain during amassage. • 7.4. Body-Mind Therapies • Mind-body therapies can help you relax and they can help reduce pain. Mind-body therapies include relaxation and meditationtechniques. • Mind-body therapies are generally safe and advisable. A therapist can guide you the best suitable therapies or you can do themyourself. • Support • Doctors consider Hairy Cell Leukemia to be a chronic form of cancer because it never completely disappears. Even if you get a remission, you will probably need follow-up visits with your doctor to monitor your blood count and yourcancer. • Knowing that your cancer could come back at any time can be stressful. You mightconsider: • Learn enough to feel comfortable making decisions about your care ortreatment

8. Learn about your disease and its treatment to make you feel more comfortable making decisions about yourtreatment. • Having a better idea of life after? from treatment and what to expect treatment can make you feel more in control of your disease. Ask your doctor or other health adviser for reliable sources of information to help you getstarted. • Connect With Other CancerSurvivors • Although family and friends provide an important support network during your cancer experience, they can not always understand what it is like to face this chronic disease. Other cancer survivors provide a unique supportnetwork. • Ask your doctor or health advisor which support organizations or groups in your surroundings can put you in contact with other cancer survivors. Organizations such as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the American Cancer Society offer online discussion forums. • Take Care Of Yourself • You cannot control if your hairy cell leukemia is coming back, but you can control other aspects of yourhealth. • Take care of yourself by eating a balanced diet with lots of vegetables and fruits and exercising regularly. A healthy body can more easily repel infections, and if you still need to be treatedfor • Cancer, you will be better able to cope with the side effects of thetreatment. • 9. Prepare YourAppointment • You will probably start by first consulting your doctor. If your doctor suspects that you may have hairy cell leukemia, he may refer to a doctor who treats bone marrow and blood related diseases (hematologist). Because appointments can be brief, and because there is often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea to be prepared. Here is some information to help you get ready and know what to expect from yourdoctor.

9. 9.1. What you can do • Be aware of the restrictions before the appointment. By the time you make an appointment, try to ask anything you need to do in advance, such asdiet restriction. • Note down all the Signs you are experiencing, including those that may seem unrelated to the reason you planned the appointment. • Write down the keypersonal information, including recent life changes or major constraints. • Make a list of allthe supplements, medications or vitamins you are taking. • Consider taking a friend or family member along. Sometimes it can be difficult to remember all the information provided during an appointment. Someone accompanying you may remember something you forgot or missed about. • Write questions to ask yourdoctor. Your time with your doctor is less, so a list of questions can help you make the most of your time together. List yourquestions from most important to least important in case the time is up. For hairy cell leukemia, some basic questions to ask your doctorinclude: What types of tests do I need? Will I need treatment for my hairy cellleukemia? If I do not have treatment, will my leukemia get worse? If I need treatment, what are myoptions? Will the treatment cure my Hairy CellLeukemia? What are the side complications of each treatment option? Is there a treatment that seems the best forme? How my daily life will be changed because of cancertreatment? I have these other health problems. How can I better manage them together? Are there any other things in diet and excercise I have tofollow? Do I have to see a specialist? How much should I pay, and will my insurance coverit? Are there printed materials or other brochures that I can take with me? Which websites do yourecommend?

10. In addition to the questions you have asked your doctor, do not hesitate to ask more questions during yourappointment. 10. What To Expect From YourDoctor Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being prepared to answer them may allow you to cover otherpoints later that you want to address. Your doctor may ask some of thesequestions: When did you start experiencing symptoms for the firsttime? Have your signs been occasional or continuous? How serious are yoursymptoms? What seems to improve yoursymptoms? What seems to make your symptoms worse? • 11. Survival Rate • Survival depends on many factors, so there is no exact measure to say how long you will live. It depends on your fitness level, individual condition andtreatment. • Statistics for this type of leukemia are more difficult to estimate than for other more common leukemias. • Some statistics must be based on a small number ofpeople. • Remember, they cannot tell you what will happen in your individual case. • Your doctor has more information about your own prospects(prognosis). • 11.1. Survival Statistics for Hairy Cell Leukemia • These days, doctors believe that most people with hairy cell leukemia can expect to have a normal lifespan. Fordetailed • information, you will need to talk to your own specialist. • Generally for people withhairy • cell leukemia: • Approximately 90 out of 100 (90%) will survive their leukemia for 5 years or more after being diagnosed • Hairy cell leukemia usually develops slowly and can be kept under control for many years with treatment. You can hear these periods called remission. This is the period where the disease is not active. You have no symptoms and this does not appear in yourblood • samples. • It may be possible to obtain a second remission with more treatment if hairycell

11. leukemia returns (relapses). • A UK study published in 2005 examined patients with hairy cell leukemia and their relapse rate and response to treatment. The researchers foundthat: • 5 years after diagnosis, hairy cell leukemia has returned to about 24 to 33 people out of 100 (24 to 33%) • Ten years after diagnosis, hairy cell leukemia has returnedto • approximately 42 to 48 people out of 100 (42 to 48%) • If your leukemia returnsafter • treatment, your doctor will give you a different treatment or the same treatment as before. The choice depends on the duration of your remission. If you have had a long remission, it is worth it to repeat the same treatment. If the remission was shorter, your specialist is more likely to want to try a differenttreatment. 11.2. What AffectsSurvival Having a very low number of red blood cells (hemaglobin), platelet counts or white blood cell count (neutrophils) can affect yourprognosis. If you have swollen lymph nodes in your belly (abdomen), this can also affect your likely survival. Doctors call thislymphadenopathy. People who have a complete response to treatment do better than those who have a partial response. In hairy cell leukemia, a complete response is when all the signs of leukemia have disappeared. A partial response means that there are still abnormal leukemia cells or other symptoms ofleukemia. 11.3. Statistics The terms 1-year survival and 5-year survival do not mean that you will only live for 1 or 5 years. They refer to the number of people still alive 1 year or 5 years after their cancer diagnosis. Some people live longer periods than 5years.