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Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions โ€” written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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Hairy cell leukemia natural history

Introduction

Overview

Overview

Most patients with hairy cell leukemia are asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis. If left untreated, most of the patients with hairy cell leukemia will gradually develop anemia, recurrent infections, and bleeding. The complications of hairy cell leukemia are mainly due to bone marrow failure.

Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis

Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis

Natural History

Complications

Prognosis

  • Prognosis is generally good, and the 5-year survival rate of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia is approximately 90%.[3]
  • Poor prognostic factors for hairy cell leukemia patients include hairy cell leukemia variant, VH4-34 rearrangement, TP53 mutations, large splenomegaly, leukocytosis, and high circulating hairy cell count. [4]
  • The table below lists prognostic factors for hairy cell leukemia patients:[5]
Prognostic Factor Description
Age
Gender
  • Female are associated with a worse prognosis when compared to males.
Race
  • African American individuals are associated with a worse prognosis.
Infections
  • A recent history of pneumonia or the presence of major infection at the time of diagnosis are associated with a worse prognosis.
Hepatomegaly
  • The presence of hepatomegaly is associated with a worse prognosis.
Hemoglobin concentration
  • A hemoglobin concentration of โ‰ค10 g/dl is associated with a poor prognosis.
Reticulocyte count
  • A reticulocyte count of <1% is associated with a worse prognosis.
Neutrophil count
  • A neutrophil count โ‰ค350/ฮผl is associated with a worse prognosis.
References

References

  1. โ†‘ Matutes, E; Wotherspoon, A; Brito-Babapulle, V; Catovsky, D (2001). “The natural history and clinico-pathological features of the variant form of hairy cell leukemia”. Leukemia. 15 (1): 184โ€“186. doi:10.1038/sj.leu.2401999. ISSNย 0887-6924.
  2. โ†‘ Matutes, E; Wotherspoon, A; Brito-Babapulle, V; Catovsky, D (2001). “The natural history and clinico-pathological features of the variant form of hairy cell leukemia”. Leukemia. 15 (1): 184โ€“186. doi:10.1038/sj.leu.2401999. ISSNย 0887-6924.
  3. โ†‘ Matutes, E; Wotherspoon, A; Brito-Babapulle, V; Catovsky, D (2001). “The natural history and clinico-pathological features of the variant form of hairy cell leukemia”. Leukemia. 15 (1): 184โ€“186. doi:10.1038/sj.leu.2401999. ISSNย 0887-6924.
  4. โ†‘ Troussard X, Maรฎtre E, Paillassa J. Hairy cell leukemia 2024: Update on diagnosis, risk-stratification, and treatment-Annual updates in hematological malignancies. Am J Hematol. 2024 Apr;99(4):679-696. doi: 10.1002/ajh.27240. Epub 2024 Mar 5. PMID: 38440808.
  5. โ†‘ Stewart DJ, Smith TL, Keating MJ, McCredie KB, Hersh EM, Quesada J, Freireich EJ (1984). “Prognostic factors in hairy cell leukemia (leukemic reticuloendotheliosis)”. Cancer. 53 (5): 1198โ€“1201. PMIDย 6692307.


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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Haytham Allaham, M.D. [2], Vamsikrishna Gunnam M.B.B.S [3], James Nasr[4]; Grammar Reviewer: Natalie Harpenau, B.S.[5]