Dictionary of Cancer Terms
View in Spanish: Leucemia de células pilosas
Hairy cell leukemia (HAYR-ee SEL loo-KEE-mee-uh)
A rare type of leukemia in which abnormal B-lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) are present in the bone marrow, spleen, and peripheral blood. When viewed under a microscope, these cells appear to be covered with tiny hair-like projections.
Source: National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms, available at www.cancer.gov/dictionary.