: a chronic leukemia that is usually of B cell origin and is characterized by malignant cells with a ciliated appearance
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebPeople 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
Word History
First Known Use
1970, in the meaning defined above
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