Histiocytosis
What is histiocytosis?
Histiocytosis is a rare blood disease caused by abnormal increase in the number of immune cells called histiocytes.
What are the types of histiocytosis?
Histiocytic syndromes include Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH) and Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). LCH may be caused by abnormal mutation in the tumor that leads to production of abnormal cells that cluster together and can attack the skin, bones, lung, liver, spleen, gums, ears, eyes and/or the central nervous system. In some cases, the disease is limited to one area of the body and spontaneously regresses and in other cases, histiocytosis spreads to many organs and can be chronic and debilitating.
Our specialists treat all forms of histiocytosis including but not limited to:
- Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH)
- Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)
- Juvenile Xanthogranuloma (JXG)
- Rosai Dorfman Disease
How is histiocytosis treated?
Treatment typically includes methods to treat cancer, such as chemotherapy. Extreme cases of histiocytosis may be treated with an allogenic bone marrow transplant.
What will I have to do when treatment is done?
After treatment is completed, the patient will come to clinic every month for a doctor’s visit for the first year off therapy. Scans will be done every three months for the first year off therapy.