Hairy cell leukemia

Alternative names:

leukemic reticuloendotheliosis

Definition:

An uncommon malignancy of blood-forming tissues.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Hairy cell leukemia is characterized by a reduction in all types of blood cells: the white blood cells, the red blood cells, and the platelets. Characteristic hairy cells are seen in the peripheral blood and bone marrow. Liver and spleen enlargement is common. People affected with this leukemia have an increased risk of acquiring infections because of the body's lowered resistance to infection. Bleeding tendencies are also increased because of the low platelet count. The cause of this disease is unknown. It affects men 5 times more often than women, and the median age of onset is 55. Other risk factors are unknown. The incidence is 4 out of 100,000 people.