Hairy cell leukemia with an aggressive outcome: A case report with a review of the literature

Abstract

Hairy cell leukemia (HCL), an uncommon cancer affecting B-lymphocytes primarily in the bone marrow and spleen, is identified by abnormal projections on malignant B cells, which give the illness its name. This condition is less frequently observed in Asian populations compared with individuals from American and European backgrounds and tends to be diagnosed around the age of 55 years. The leading genetic association of this ailment is linked to the BRAFV600 mutation. Diagnosing HCL poses challenges due to its similarity to other conditions involving excessive lymphocyte growth. Here, we present a distinctive case of an aggressive disease course in a 46-year-old male.