Hairy-cell leukemia with the appearance of mixed cryoglobulinemia and vasculitis

Hairy-cell leukemia has been associated with a number of disorders of the immune system. At least 13 cases of vasculitis and hairy-cell leukemia have been reported. However, the occurrence of cryoglobulinemia and hairy-cell leukemia is rare. We report a case of a patient with the unusual combination of hairy-cell leukemia, vasculitis, and cryoglobulinemia. This case illustrates that hairy-cell leukemia should now be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with the appearance of vasculitis and cryoglobulinemia. The association presents a therapeutic challenge and emphasizes the need for individualized treatment in such patients.