Sandbox: HCL therapy: Difference between revisions
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:* [[Interferon alpha]] | :* [[Interferon alpha]] | ||
:* [[Vemurafenib]] | :* [[Vemurafenib]] | ||
* The preferred drug for the initial treatment of hairy cell leukemia | * The preferred drug for the initial treatment of hairy cell leukemia could be either [[cladribine]] or [[pentostatin]]. | ||
* Hairy cell leukemia patients who demonstrate a complete response after initial medical therapy should be managed by follow-up and close observation for any signs of relapse. | |||
* A complete response for therapy is defined by the following criteria: | |||
:* Absence of disease symptoms | |||
:* Absence of [[splenomegaly]] on physical exam | |||
:* Recovery of the patients blood counts to the normal limits | |||
:* Absence of malignant leukemic cells on blood smear or bone marrow aspiration |
Revision as of 23:33, 29 October 2015
Overview
Medical Therapy
- The mainstay of therapy for hairy cell leukemia patients is chemotherapy.
- Asymptomatic hairy cell leukemia patients, with no indications for therapy, may be managed by observation and close follow-up.
- Indications to initiate medical therapy among patients with hairy cell leukemia include:
- The presence of systemic symptoms such as fever, night sweats, and significant weight loss
- The presence of subcostal abdominal discomfort due splenic distension
- Positive history of recurrent infections.
- Hemoglobin concentration lower than 12 g/dl
- Platelets count lower than 100,000/mcl
- Absolute neutrophil count lower than 1000/mcl
- Pharmacological agents used for the treatment of hairy cell leukemia patients include:
- The preferred drug for the initial treatment of hairy cell leukemia could be either cladribine or pentostatin.
- Hairy cell leukemia patients who demonstrate a complete response after initial medical therapy should be managed by follow-up and close observation for any signs of relapse.
- A complete response for therapy is defined by the following criteria:
- Absence of disease symptoms
- Absence of splenomegaly on physical exam
- Recovery of the patients blood counts to the normal limits
- Absence of malignant leukemic cells on blood smear or bone marrow aspiration