Be sure to join the class action if you have HCL. HCL IS ON THE ACCEPTED DIAGNOSIS LIST FOR COMPENSATION. My story allowed a payment to me .
May 26
Yes, hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is a rare but real form of leukemia — and you're definitely not alone. Among MyLeukemiaTeam members, at least 60 people have shared that they or a loved one has been diagnosed with HCL.
HCL is a slow-growing, chronic type of leukemia that starts in the bone marrow and affects B cells, which Show Full Answer
Yes, hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is a rare but real form of leukemia — and you're definitely not alone. Among MyLeukemiaTeam members, at least 60 people have shared that they or a loved one has been diagnosed with HCL.
HCL is a slow-growing, chronic type of leukemia that starts in the bone marrow and affects B cells, which are white blood cells that help fight infection. It gets its name from how the cancer cells look under a microscope — they have tiny hair-like projections on their surface. Here are some key things to know about HCL:
- It makes up about 1–2% of adult leukemia diagnoses
- Around 600–800 new cases are diagnosed each year in the U.S.
- It's most commonly seen in men over 50, though it can occur in people ages 20–80
- It often progresses slowly, and some people live with it for years without needing treatment
While there's currently no cure, HCL is very treatable. About 85% of people who receive the chemotherapy drug Cladribine achieve complete remission. Other treatment options include additional chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and clinical trials.
It's always worth having open conversations with a healthcare provider about what treatment approach — or whether a "watch and wait" approach — makes the most sense for each individual situation.
May 26
Join
Your Privacy Choices
