What are the Treatments for Hairy Cell Leukemia?
Hairy cell leukemia is a type of cancer that slowly develops within your blood and bone marrow. According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, hairy cell leukemia's name stems from the projection of hair-like structures, or villi, that can be seen on the cancer cells under a microscope. The disease is a chronic condition that may never disappear. Treatments for the disease may cause your cancer to go into remission for some time, but the cancer may return.
Wait and See
At times, treatment for hairy cell leukemia may not be necessary as the disease can progress at such a slow rate. Since there isn't a cure for hairy cell leukemia, your physician may want to take a wait and see approach. Treatment may only begin once you start experiencing signs and symptoms. A diagnosis of cancer may make you feel urgent in the need to rid your body of the disease. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, hairy cell leukemia can be treated at any stage, which is not possible with other types of cancers.
Chemotherapy
If treatment is considered, chemotherapy will be your first option of treatment. Two types of medications are used in chemotherapy treatments; cladribine and pentostatin. According to the Mayo Clinic, a regimen for chemotherapy will start with cladribine. A continuous IV will be administered over seven days. If you receive cladribine, it is possible to go into remission for many years before the cancer returns. Pentostatin also has a good remission rate. Pentostatin is given over a course of three to six months and is given every other week.
Biological Treatments
For some people, chemotherapy may not be an option for treatment. In such instances, biological treatments may be provided. Biological treatments include injectable medications that help your body identify cancer cells. Once your cancer cells have been located by your immune system, your immune system sets out to destroy these cells. The medications used in biological treatments include alpah-interferon and rituximab.
Splenectomy
A splenectomy may be suggested in order to remove your spleen. The removal of your spleen can help to restore your normal blood counts. There are risks with the removal of your spleen. You can develop bleeding due to a splenectomy. The removal of your spleen can also cause a condition known as vasculitis, which is the inflammation of your blood vessels. As a result of this condition, you become more susceptible to developing infections.
Support
Though your cancer can go into remission, you'll be required to continually see your physician, as well as have your blood counts monitored. You may become depressed with having to be monitored, and also knowing that your cancer may come back eventually. Because of this, it is extremely important that you not isolate yourself, and seek support. Become involved with support groups or organizations within your city. Talking with other cancer survivors can help face your cancer. Friends and family can also help you pull through your difficult time, so let them lift you up when you need a shoulder. The National Cancer Institute can also provide you with additional information on support groups.
Tags: your cancer, your spleen, cancer cells, cell leukemia, hairy cell leukemia