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Hairy Cell Leukemia Treatment (PDQ®)

Patient Version
Last Modified: 07/15/2011

Relapsed or Refractory Hairy Cell Leukemia

Relapsed hairy cell leukemia has come back after treatment. Refractory hairy cell leukemia has not responded to treatment.



Glossary Terms

hairy cell leukemia (HAYR-ee sel loo-KEE-mee-uh)
A rare type of leukemia in which abnormal B-lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) are present in the bone marrow, spleen, and peripheral blood. When viewed under a microscope, these cells appear to be covered with tiny hair-like projections.
refractory cancer (reh-FRAK-tor-ee KAN-ser)
Cancer that does not respond to treatment. The cancer may be resistant at the beginning of treatment or it may become resistant during treatment. Also called resistant cancer.
relapse (REE-laps)
The return of a disease or the signs and symptoms of a disease after a period of improvement.