Splenectomy for the treatment of hairy-cell leukemia

In conclusion, patients with hairy-cell leukemia may need no therapy for prolonged periods. If they are symptomatic from hypersplenism, they may be expected to benefit from splenectomy. Some patients will have a relapse after splenectomy. At this time, there is no method to predict which patients will have a long term benefit from splenectomy, and we believe that operation should not be recommended as the primary therapy for hairy-cell leukemia.