hairy cell leukaemia


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A low-grade B-cell leukaemia comprising 2% of adult leukaemia, commonly affecting men—male:female ratio, 4:1—age 50-55, leading to progressive pancytopenia; 10% have platelet counts of < 20 x 109/L—US: < 20,000/mm3—20% have thrombocytosis; 1-80% of nucleated RBCs are hairy.
The ‘classic’ or Japanese form—which comprises most cases of HCL—responds better to therapy than the non-classic or variant form
Lab Increased acid phosphatase, especially isoenzyme 5—increased in bone metastases and in Gaucher’s disease
Management First-line therapy: purine analogues 2’-deoxycoformycin (pentostatin) and 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (cladribine)
Cause of death Infections, gram-negative bacteria, atypical mycobacteria, fungi

hairy cell leukaemia

A rare disease featuring overgrowth of B .LYMPHOCYTES usually in men between 40 and 60 years of age. The lymphocytes show prominent hair-like projections. There is a profound drop in the numbers of all blood cells and the spleen, which is the site of the bulk of the abnormal lymphocytes, is enlarged. Treatment is by spleen removal (splenectomy) and the use of drugs such as alpha-INTERFERON and deoxycoformycin.
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Claire, of Gosforth, Newcastle, said: "It came as quite a shock to be told that I had hairy cell leukaemia as I'd never heard of the condition before.
Each year up to 200 people in Britain are diagnosed with hairy cell leukaemia, accounting for two per cent of all leukaemia diagnosis.
Hairy cell leukaemia is a long-term illness that develops slowly.
'Leukaemia diagnosis is not death sentence' Last year about 20 people were diagnosed with hairy cell leukaemia in the North East. Health Reporter HELEN RAE speaks to a woman who was one of those told she had the rare blood cancer My Health
Hairy cell leukaemia and occupational exposure to benzene.
Occupational exposure to solvents and hairy cell leukaemia.
Occupation and occupational exposure to UV light as risk factors for hairy cell leukaemia evaluated in a case-control study.
Concentrations of Organochlorines Related to Titers to Epstein-Barr Virus Early Antigen IgG as Risk Factors for Hairy Cell Leukemia
Simple diagnostic assay for hairy cell leukaemia by immunocytochemical detection of annexin A1 (ANXA1).
High resolution melting analysis for detection of BRAF exon 15 mutations in hairy cell leukaemia and other lymphoid malignancies.
Rapid response of biallelic BRAF V600E mutated hairy cell leukaemia to low dose vemurafenib.
Diagnosis of Splenic B-Cell Lymphomas in the Bone Marrow: A Review of Histopathologic, Immunophenotypic, and Genetic Findings
Around 21,500 people get leukaemia in the UK every year but fewer than 100 get the hairy cell leukaemia which attacked his body.
Athletics: I couldn't walk... but I knew I'd finish London marathon; our heroes Super-fit leukaemia victim has raised pounds 38,000 for charity COURAGE OF CANCER COP JIM

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