Causes of Hairy Cell Leukaemia

Causes of Hairy Cell Leukaemia

Hairy cell leukaemia is the rarest form of blood cancer, usually reported in older adults around the age group of 50-60. The cancer develops in the bone marrow and also involves peripheral blood and the screen. It is a type of blood cancer that occurs due to the production and accumulation of malignant B-lymphocytes or a type of white blood cells. The cancer progresses slowly, and its main treatment is chemotherapy. This particular haematological malignancy is named ‘hairy cell leukaemia’ because under microscope the abnormal cancer cells appear hairy. Read on to understand the primary causes of hairy cell leukaemia.

Hairy cell leukaemia is the rarest form of blood cancer, usually reported in older adults around the age group of 50-60. The cancer develops in the bone marrow and also involves peripheral blood and the screen. It is a type of blood cancer that occurs due to the production and accumulation of malignant B-lymphocytes or a type of white blood cells. The cancer progresses slowly, and its main treatment is chemotherapy. This particular haematological malignancy is named ‘hairy cell leukaemia’ because under microscope the abnormal cancer cells appear hairy. Read on to understand the primary causes of hairy cell leukaemia.

Understanding Causes of Hairy Cell Leukaemia

Before learning about the causes, its important one must know the symptoms associated with this malignancy. Hairy cell leukaemia sometimes produces no symptoms at all or at times can produce symptoms similar to chronic leukaemia. produces symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, easy bruising, frequent infections, painless lumps, fever, unexplained weight loss, and a feeling of fullness under the ribs.

The major hairy cell leukaemia triggers or causes are listed as under:

• Abnormal Mutation of B-lymphocytes

Abnormal mutations and changes in the DNA of B-lymphocytes are the root cause of this cancer. These abnormal cells are produced in huge quantities in an affected person’s body. The malignant cells stay alive when the other healthy blood cells die according to the life cycle of healthy cells. An excess of abnormal B lymphocytes results in the formation of lumps in spleen, lymph nodes, and liver.

• Ageing

Older adults in their 50s or 60s are at a higher risk of getting this type of cancer.

• Gender

Gender also has a role to play in this type of cancer. Research shows that men are more prone to getting this cancer than women.

• Exposure to Chemicals

Studies show a link between the chemical Agent Orange and the growth of abnormal B lymphocytes.