Hairy Cell Leukemia

Question: What webstite(s) would provide treatment information on unusual cases of Hairy Cell Leukemia ? I was diagnosed with Hairy Cell Leukemia, but my spleen is normal and blood counts are normal. A biopsy done on a bone lesion was diagnoses as Hairy Cell Leukemia.

Answer: HI, try: http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_pag… they are a great information resource, Jewells 29 months and still here

Question: Does anyone know anything about Hairy Cell Leukemia? Hairy Cell Leukemia is what my dad was diagnosed with. I heard it was highly treatable but im still worried. i searched on the internet but i can only find stuff about side effects. I would like to know about treatments and survival rate still. If anyone knows anything that would help a lot!...even if it doesnt put my mind at ease i would rather expect something bad then be surprised by it. ok thank you!

Answer: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has excellent information on Hairy Cell Leukemia on its website. The site address is: http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org I have also included a link under "source" to a pdf document from the society that has detailed information on HCL. HCL is indeed highly treatable. I could not find a consensus figure on the survival rate but I assure you it is very high. I am sure your dad will be ok.

Question: Anyone here recieve Cladribine for hairy cell leukemia? Do you know how it makes you feel after the treatment is over? Do you develop neutropenia or drop in cell counts?

Answer: feel after the treatment, nausea is to be epxected, you can also feel muscle pains etc. cytopenia (drop in cell counts) or neutropenia (specific drop in white cells) is also expected. you can look for side effects on drugstore.com, good luck

Question: Does anyone know why hairy cell leukemia comes about? could it be due to an environmental factor? my boy friend works for a water/waste water testing company, and he has hairy cell leukemia... could this be due to something he had been exposed to on the job? only serious inquiries... please...if anyone knows a doctor or a person who could help me on this, i would really appreciate it. my boy friend has it, and he is really sick...

Answer: I'm sorry, I don't know the answer. However, this is a terrific site for info: http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/hm_lls Best wishes

Question: Is anyone familiar with "Hairy Cell Leukemia"? It is rare, Ive done my research but wondering if anyone has any personal or professional experience with it and the treatment of it. We have chosen not to do chemo at this time. So far our natural treatments have been great BUT the need for blood transfusions about every 6 weeks has been necessary. Does anyone know how to build your blood up to acceptable levels. The blood loss and counts are stabelizing but not really improving. The natural remedies focus mainly on immune system support and I wouldnt change a thing there, but Im missing something for the anemia. The doctor has no answer, just infuses when RBC gets down to 9 (should be atleast 14-18). Thanks

Answer: Hairy cell leukemia is a chronic lymphoid leukemia. The most common type of leukemia in the Western world, CLL involves mature-appearing defective neoplastic lymphocytes with an abnormally long life span. The peripheral blood, bone marrow, spleen, and lymph nodes undergo leukemic infiltration. Symptoms may be absent or may include lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, and nonspecific symptoms attributable to anemia (fatigue, malaise). Diagnosis is by examination of peripheral blood smear and bone marrow aspirate. Treatment, delayed until symptoms develop, is aimed at lengthening life and decreasing symptoms and may involve chlorambucil or fludarabine, prednisone, cyclophosphamide, and/or doxorubicin. Monoclonal antibodies, such as alemtuzumab and rituximab, are increasingly being used. Palliative radiation therapy is reserved for patients whose lymphadenopathy or splenomegaly interferes with other organs. Please see the web pages for more details on Hairy cell leukemia.

Question: does anyone know or have hairy cell leukemia? help me... my boyfriend has it.? my boy friend is 39 and just wondering if or what he will go through after chemo... serious responses only

Answer: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society can help you. Check out www.lls.org great resource. They have an 800# you can call and have all of you questions answered by live professionals.

Question: information on "hairy cell leukemia"?

Answer: The name "hairy cell leukemia" comes from the type of cells that are over produced. Leukemia is an over production of white blood cells. Hairy cell leukemia just refers to the specific type of white blood cell that is over produced (the B lymphocyte). The B lymphocyte looks hairy under a microscope. Hairy cell leukemia is just like other forms of leukemia as far as treatment and prognosis goes. The cause of hairy cell leukemia is unknown. It occurs more often in men than women, and often in the 6th decade of life.

Question: Can any other forms of cancer be detected in blood work done on a routine cancer blood work done for HCL? I have been in remission for Hairy Cell Leukemia 2 years and 6 months 13 days When I go in and have blood work done To check for cancer cells and my white count Does it detect any other cancer

Answer: No. Not unless they are deliberately doing some routine screening tests, like a PSA level. The routine labs to follow up on leukemia treatment do not detect other cancers. Feel free to ask you doctor for a copy of all your lab results. Then you will know exactly what was done. And by the way, Congratulations on your remission!

Question: When do you requst a liver biopsy when trying to dertmine if a lesion is cancerous or not ? A year ago I was diagnosed with Hairy Cell Leukemia in the hip area which I was told would need to be monitored for improvements with PETscans. My first PET Scan showed high metabolic activity in the hip (as was expected) and the liver (4.2 SUV). My oncologist was suprised by the liver reading and ordered another PetScan. This PetScan showed the same results. I then had my chemo and the expectation was the chemo would knock everything out (hip and liver). I just had my follow-up PetScan (this time it was a PET-CT scan) which showed no abnormal metabolic activity in the hip. The liver still shows metabolic activity (6.2 SUV). I was hoping that my oncologist would want to request a liver biopsy, but he wants to wait a few months. Any opinions ? Whats the downside of requesting a biopsy ? I have put my latest PET-CT scan results below. Findings: Multiple low-attenuation lesions were seen in the liver on a previous CT scan, but NOT on the current PET study. There is only one f I do need to clarify that I have not had a personal follow-up with my oncologist. I have been trading e-mails back and forth with his office/fellow. Based on the e-mails betwenn his office and myself I interpreted the next course of action to wait a few months and potentially get another blow of chemo. I probably need to set-up a personal visit to his office to discuss the results. The PET-CT scan shows the lesion at 1.7 cm, isn't that pretty small ? Note the 2/28 PET showed a 3.2 SUV The 5/17 PET/CT showed a 6.3 (note the 5/17 scan was a combination PET/CT scan.

Answer: a 6.2 suv, is he/she crazy! normal in the liver is 2.5-3.0. A biopsy is not needed because it is cancer! I would get a second opinion and make sure they are using a PET/CT and not just PET. I would get a second opinion! Good luck,

Question: Does Chemo make you sterile? My friend is starting Chemo next week for hairy cell leukemia. He is only 27, will he be able to have children after going through Chemo?

Answer: There is a chance that the chemotherapy will cause infertility depending on the type of drug, dosage, and length of treatment. He can protect his future fertility by banking sperm before he starts his treatment. Read more about fertility issues and cancer at: Fertile Hope http://www.fertilehope.org/