Hairy cell leukaemia
The stage of a cancer means how far it has developed. Most types of cancer have a staging system. For example, a number stage system from 1 to 4. But this is not really used for hairy cell leukaemia.
Your doctor plans your treatment based on your symptoms, and your general health and fitness.
Read more about treatment decisions
To plan your treatment, doctors check if you have:
low red blood cell count (anaemia)
low white blood cell count (neutropenia)
low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)
an enlarged spleen
swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy)
Last reviewed: 16 Oct 2024
Next review due: 16 Oct 2027
Hairy cell leukaemia (HCL) is a rare type of chronic leukaemia. It develops slowly from white blood cells called B lymphocytes. Find out about this type of leukaemia.
You usually start by seeing your GP and they might refer you to a specialist and organise tests. Find out more about tests and screening for hairy cell leukaemia.
There are different treatments for hairy cell leukaemia. You might have one treatment, or a combination. The main treatment is chemotherapy.
Hairy cell leukaemia usually develops slowly and can be kept under control for many years with treatment.
Coping with hairy cell leukaemia (HCL) can be difficult. Help and support is available.
Hairy cell leukaemia (HCL) is a rare type of chronic leukaemia. It develops slowly from white blood cells called B lymphocytes. Find out about this type of leukaemia.
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