Hairy cell leukaemia--diagnosis and current treatment.

Hairy cell leukaemia is a chronic B cell disorder which runs an an indolent but progressive course characterized by cytopenia, recurrent infections and splenomegaly. The hallmark of this disease is the presence of cells with filiform cytoplasmic surface projections in peripheral blood and/or bone marrow. In recent years the introduction of new chemotherapeutic agents has revolutionized the treatment and prognosis of this condition, Interferon alpha is useful in controlling the disease, while drugs affecting nucleotide metabolism offer the possibility of lasting remission.