hairy cell leukemia

noun

: a chronic leukemia that is usually of B cell origin and is characterized by malignant cells with a ciliated appearance

Examples of hairy cell leukemia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web For example, interferon alpha was initially approved only for use in patients with a rare disease called hairy cell leukemia, but it was found to be very useful for many other diseases. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 17 July 2023 The California case involved a patient by the name of John Moore, who was diagnosed with hairy cell leukemia in 1976. Delthia Ricks, Discover Magazine, 27 Jan. 2010 People with hairy cell leukemia often have an enlarged spleen. Barbara Brody, Health.com, 30 Sep. 2021 This leukemia symptom is most apt to occur with one particular type called hairy cell leukemia. Barbara Brody, Health.com, 29 Sep. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hairy cell leukemia.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hairy cell leukemia was in 1970

Dictionary Entries Near hairy cell leukemia

Cite this Entry

“Hairy cell leukemia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hairy%20cell%20leukemia. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

hairy cell leukemia

noun
: a chronic leukemia that is usually of B cell origin and is characterized by malignant cells with a ciliated appearance that replace bone marrow and infiltrate the spleen causing splenomegaly
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