Currently we test and support the following browsers:
Please note that this is not intended to be an exhaustive list of browsers that support web standards, nor a test of browser compliance, nor a side-by-side comparison of various manufacturers’ browsers.
Research
Alternate Names: LCH, Hand-Schuller-Christian syndrome, Letterer-Siwe disease, eosinophilic granuloma
Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare, proliferative disorder of dendritic cells. Dendritic cells are a type of immune cell that can be found in various tissues in the body. In LCH, the dendritic cells (also called Langerhans cells or histiocytes) multiply and cause damage to the tissue where they are located. The clinical picture of LCH can vary widely. Often, it involves only a single organ such as skin, bone, or lymph nodes. Other patients can present with multi-system disease involving any organ of the body, most commonly bone marrow, lungs, liver and brain. While LCH is not a cancer, it typically requires treatment with chemotherapy similar to that used to treat many childhood cancers.
There is no known associated risk-factor for pediatric LCH, although research has suggested infectious and environmental triggers for the disease. Cigarette smoking is clearly linked with increased risk for pulmonary LCH in adults.
Patients with only skin involvement will occasionally have improvement without therapy. Single bone lesions can often be cured with surgical removal followed by observation. More extensive disease requires treatment with chemotherapy for a duration of about 1 year.
The St. Jude Web site is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services. The information provided through this site should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, you should consult your health care provider.
