TriangleFOR PATIENTS · SOURCE READING
Treatment of Hairy Cell Leukemia
Source: Hairy Cell Leukemia Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version, National Cancer Institute.
Source updated: April 23, 2025 · Captured 2026-09-09.
Selected source text with whitespace normalised. This Triangle page is not an NCI PDQ summary. Independent clinical review is pending.
Treatment of hairy cell leukemia may include:
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Watchful waiting when possible.
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Cladribine with or without rituximab.
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BRAF inhibitors (vemurafenib or dabrafenib) with or without rituximab or trametinib.
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Rituximab.
Pentostatin.
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Ibrutinib.
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Repeat treatment with cladribine or pentostatin.
Bendamustine with rituximab.
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Splenectomy.
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Learn more about these treatments in the Treatment Option Overview
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You and your doctor will discuss what treatment plan is best for you.
Use our clinical trial search to find NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are accepting patients. You can search for trials based on the type of cancer, the age of the patient, and where the trials are being done. General information about clinical trials is also available.
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Preserved source evidence · Independent clinical review pending · Not medical advice