Leukemia - B-cell Prolymphocytic Leukemia and Hairy Cell Leukemia: Stages

Approved by the Cancer.Net Editorial Board, 03/2016

ON THIS PAGE: You will learn about how doctors describe the growth or spread of most types of cancer, called stage, and how this differs for HCL and PLL. To see other pages, use the menu.

Generally, staging is a way of describing where the cancer is located, if or where it has spread, and whether it is affecting other parts of the body. Unlike most solid tumors, HCL and PLL do not have a formal staging system. However, doctors use diagnostic tests to evaluate HCL and PLL. This helps them decide what kind of treatment is best and predict your prognosis, which is the chance of recovery. Talk with your doctor for details on how your specific type of leukemia will be evaluated.

Information about the leukemia will help the doctor recommend a specific treatment plan. The next section in this guide is Treatment Options. Or, use the menu to choose another section to continue reading this guide.