Treatment for hairy cell leukaemia

There are different treatment options for hairy cell leukaemia. The main treatment is chemotherapy. 

Chemotherapy uses anti cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells. It is the main treatment for hairy cell leukaemia. 

You might have the targeted drug rituximab for hairy cell leukaemia. You usually have it with chemotherapy. 

Surgery is not a common treatment for hairy cell leukaemia. But rarely, some people need an operation to remove their spleen (splenectomy). 

When hairy cell leukaemia comes back it is called a relapse. The next treatment you have is called second line treatment.

Hairy cell leukaemia and its treatment can affect your immune system. Supportive treatments can help to either prevent or control these problems.  

You usually have follow up appointments to check how you are and see whether you have any problems or worries.

Researchers around the world are looking into the causes and treatment of hairy cell leukaemia.