Hairy cell leukemia physical examination
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]
Overview
Overview
Physical examination of patients with hairy cell leukemia is usually remarkable for pallor, petechiae, and splenomegaly.
Physical Examination
Physical Examination
The presence of palpable splenomegaly on physical examination is highly suggestive of hairy cell leukemia.[1]
Appearance of the Patient
- Hairy cell leukemia patients often appear cachectic.
Vital Signs
Skin
Neck
- Lymphadenopathy can be found in 20% of the patients with hairy cell leukemia (HCL).
Lungs
- Pulmonary examination of patients with hairy cell leukemia may be positive for pleural effusion, but it is very rare finding.[2][3][4][5]
- Left hemithorax
Abdomen
- Palpable splenomegaly can be found in around 80-90% percent of patients with hairy cell leukemia.[6]
- Hepatomegaly can be found in 20% of the patients with hairy cell leukemia.[7]
- Massive Ascites.[8][9]
References
References
- ↑ Somasundaram V, Purohit A, Aggarwal M, Manivannan P, Mishra P, Seth T, Tyagi S, Mahapatra M, Pati HP, Saxena R (October 2014). “Hairy cell leukemia: A decade long experience of North Indian Hematology Center”. Indian J Med Paediatr Oncol. 35 (4): 271–5. doi:10.4103/0971-5851.144988. PMC 4264273. PMID 25538404.
- ↑ Guzman, Josune; Bross, Klaus J.; Costabel, Ulrich (1991). “Malignant lymphoma in pleural effusions: An immunocytochemical cell surface analysis”. Diagnostic Cytopathology. 7 (2): 113–118. doi:10.1002/dc.2840070202. ISSN 8755-1039.
- ↑ Dinçol G, Doğan O, Küçükkaya RD, Gül E, Kahraman R, Ağan M (January 2008). “Hairy cell leukaemia presenting with ascites, pleural effusion and increased CA 125 serum level”. Neth J Med. 66 (1): 23–6. PMID 18219064.
- ↑ Bouroncle BA (April 1987). “Unusual presentations and complications of hairy cell leukemia”. Leukemia. 1 (4): 288–93. PMID 3669749.
- ↑ Raffi, François; Magadur, Geneviève; Fiche, Maryse; Merrien, Dominique; Barrier, Jacques H.; Grolleau, Jean-Yves (1990). “Pleural Involvement in Hairy Cell Leukemia Response to Recombinant Interferon-Alpha”. Chest. 98 (6): 1544. doi:10.1378/chest.98.6.1544a. ISSN 0012-3692.
- ↑ Frassoldati A, Lamparelli T, Federico M, Annino L, Capnist G, Pagnucco G, Dini E, Resegotti L, Damasio EE, Silingardi V (April 1994). “Hairy cell leukemia: a clinical review based on 725 cases of the Italian Cooperative Group (ICGHCL). Italian Cooperative Group for Hairy Cell Leukemia”. Leuk. Lymphoma. 13 (3–4): 307–16. doi:10.3109/10428199409056295. PMID 7519510.
- ↑ Golomb HM, Catovsky D, Golde DW (November 1978). “Hairy cell leukemia: a clinical review based on 71 cases”. Ann. Intern. Med. 89 (5 Pt 1): 677–83. PMID 717940.
- ↑ Dinçol G, Doğan O, Küçükkaya RD, Gül E, Kahraman R, Ağan M (January 2008). “Hairy cell leukaemia presenting with ascites, pleural effusion and increased CA 125 serum level”. Neth J Med. 66 (1): 23–6. PMID 18219064.
- ↑ Bouroncle BA (April 1987). “Unusual presentations and complications of hairy cell leukemia”. Leukemia. 1 (4): 288–93. PMID 3669749.
Looking for the patient version?
© 2026 MyEClinic – IFTM Institut für Telematik in der Medizin GmbH