Treatment and Drugs Treatment is not always required for individuals having hairy cell leukemia as this type of cancer has a slow progression rate and at times does not advance at all, some individuals would rather follow the wait and watch policy and prefer getting treated solely after they start becoming symptomatic. The major populace of individuals having hairy cell leukemia would ultimately require treatment. Though one might be keen to free one’s body of any malignancy following diagnosis with hairy cell leukemia, there are no benefits of early treatment. In contrast to few other forms of cancer, hairy cell leukemia is relatively curable in all stages, translating to the fact that remission would not be any lesser if one adopted the wait and watch approach for treatment. In case the  [...]

Diagnosis & Tests: In case there are doubts about the presence of hairy cell leukemia then the doctor would be observant for the following three signs: Spleen enlargement. Lower count of all the types of blood cells. Presence of hairy cell leukemia in the blood. In order to look out for these indicators the doctor would carry out several tests and examinations that would comprise of: Physical Examination The doctor would palpate the ellipsoidal-shaped organ placed to the left side of the upper part of the abdomen to check whether there is any kind of enlargement. An enlargement in the spleen could lead to feeling full in the abdomen that could cause discomfort during eating. The doctor might additionally look out for any enlargement in the lymph nodes that could point to the presence  [...]

Hairy cell leukemia is an atypical, gradually progressing cancer of the blood wherein there is excessive production of the B cells or lymphocytes (kind of infection-combatant white blood cells) in the bone marrow. These surfeit B cells are anomalous and appear ‘hairy’ microscopically due to the fine protuberances or villi from their surface. Due to the surge in amounts of leukemia cells, there is lesser production of healthy white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. Annually in the United States, nearly 600-800 individuals are detected with hairy cell leukemia. Hairy cell leukemia is observed to affect the male gender greater than the female, occurring mostly in the middle-age bracket or elderly individuals. Hairy cell leukemia is not known to affect kids and those in their teens. Doctors  [...]

Cladribine (Cladribine Novaplus, Leustatin) Cladribine is a cancer or antineoplastic medication for treating a form of blood cancer (Hairy Cell Leukemia) that hinders the spread of cancer cells, retarding their growth and proliferation in the body. Cladribine, however, has been additionally employed for other purposes. Likely Side effects of cladribine (Cladribine Novaplus, Leustatin) In case one is experiencing any of the below stated grave side effects, then it is vital to seek prompt medical assistance or get in touch with one’s doctor urgently. An allergic reaction characterised by shortened breath; feeling a restricted or closed sensation in the throat; breathing distress; the lips, face or tongue swelling up or appearance of hives. Lowered functioning of the bone marrow and blood  [...]