C91: Lymphoid leukaemia

C91.4: Hairy-cell leukaemia

Hairy cell leukemia is a rare type of blood and bone marrow cancer. It is called "hairy cell" because the cancer cells look 'hairy' under a microscope. This condition causes your body to have fewer healthy blood cells, since the 'hairy cells' multiply too much and invade your bone marrow, preventing it from producing normal blood cells. Symptoms typically include feeling tired, easy bruising or bleeding, and being prone to infections due to the lack of white blood cells. You may also experience a discomfort or fullness in your stomach, which is caused by an enlarged spleen. The disease progresses slowly and is often diagnosed through routine blood tests before any symptoms are present.