Locations Main Campus: Chesterfield, MO 63017   |   Locations
314-434-1500 314-434-1500   |   Contact Us

Multimedia Encyclopedia


 
E-mail Form
Email Results

 
 
Print-Friendly
Bookmarks
bookmarks-menu

Histiocytosis

Langerhans cell histiocytosis; Eosinophilic granuloma

 

Histiocytosis is a general name for a group of disorders or "syndromes" that involve an abnormal increase in the number of specialized white blood cells that are called histiocytes .

Recently, new knowledge about this family of diseases has led experts to develop new classifications. Five categories have been proposed:

  • L group -- includes Langerhans cell histiocytosis
  • C group -- includes non- Langerhans cell histiocytosis that involves the skin
  • M group -- includes malignant histiocytosis
  • R group -- includes Rosai-Dorfman disease
  • H Group -- includes hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

This article focuses only on the L group, which includes Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

Causes

 

There has been debate as to whether Langerhans cell histiocytosis is an inflammatory, immune disorder, or a cancer-like condition. Recently, the era of genomics has helped show that Langerhans cell histiocytosis is likely due to acquired changes in the genes (mutations) in early white blood cells, which leads to abnormal behavior. The abnormal cells then increase in various parts of body including the bones, skin, lungs, and other areas.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a rare disorder that can affect people of all ages. The highest rate is among children ages 5 to 10. Some forms of the disorder are genetic, which means they are inherited.

Pulmonary histiocytosis X is a specific type of histiocytosis X that involves swelling of the small airways and small blood vessels in the lungs. This inflammation leads to lung stiffening and damage. It is most common in 30 to 40 year old adults, who most often smoke cigarettes. The cause is unknown.

 

Symptoms

 

Histiocytosis X often affects the whole body. A disease that affects the whole body is called a "systemic" disorder.

Symptoms can vary between children and adults, but they may have some of the same symptoms. Tumors in weight-bearing bones, such as the legs or spine, may cause the bones to fracture without an obvious reason.

Symptoms in children may include:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Bone pain (possibly)
  • Delayed puberty
  • Dizziness
  • Ear drainage that continues long-term
  • Eyes that appear to stick out more and more
  • Irritability
  • Failure to thrive
  • Fever
  • Frequent urination
  • Headache
  • Jaundice
  • Limping
  • Mental decline
  • Rash
  • Seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp
  • Seizures
  • Short stature
  • Swollen lymph glands
  • Thirst
  • Vomiting
  • Weight loss

Note: Children over 5 years old often have only bone involvement.

Symptoms in adults may include:

  • Bone pain
  • Chest pain
  • Cough
  • Fever
  • General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling
  • Increased amount of urine
  • Rash
  • Shortness of breath
  • Thirst and increased drinking of fluids
  • Weight loss

 

Exams and Tests

 

There are no specific blood tests for Langerhans cell histiocytosis.The tumors produce a "punched-out" look on a bone x-ray. Specific tests vary, depending on the age of the person.

Tests for children may include:

  • Biopsy of skin to check for Langerhans cells
  • Bone marrow biopsy to check for Langerhans cells
  • Complete blood count ( CBC )
  • X-rays of all the bones in the body to find out how many bones are affected
  • Test for a gene mutation in BRAF V600E

Tests for adults may also include:

  • Bronchoscopy with biopsy
  • Chest x-ray
  • Pulmonary function tests

Langerhans cell histiocytosis is sometimes linked to cancer. CT scans and biopsy should be done to rule out possible cancer.

 

Treatment

 

Langerhans cell histiocytosis is such a rare disorder that information about the best possible treatment is limited. For this reason, people with the condition are encouraged to take part in a well-designed clinical trial.

People with Langerhans cell histiocytosis involving only a single place such as bone or skin may be treated with local surgery. However, they will need close follow-up to look for disease spread.

People with widespread Langerhans cell histiocytosis require medicines. In most cases, prednisone and vinblastine are the first drugs tried. Smoking may worsen the response to treatment and should be stopped.

Other medicines or treatments may be used, depending on the outlook (prognosis) and response to the starting medicines. Such treatments may include:

  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Etoposide
  • Methotrexate
  • Vemurafenib, if the BRAF V600E mutation is found
  • Stem cell transplantation

Other treatments may include:

  • Antibiotics to fight infections
  • Breathing support (with a breathing machine)
  • Hormone replacement therapy
  • Physical therapy
  • Special shampoos for scalp problems
  • Supportive care (also called comfort care) to relieve symptoms

 

Support Groups

 

Histiocytosis Association www.histio.org

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

Langerhans cell histiocytosis affects many organs and can lead to death.

About one half of those with pulmonary histiocytosis improve, while others have permanent loss of lung function over time.

In very young people, the outlook depends on the specific histiocytosis and how severe it is. Some children can live a normal life with minimal disease involvement, while others do poorly. Young children, especially infants, are more likely to have bodywide symptoms that lead to death.

 

Possible Complications

 

Complications may include:

  • Diffuse interstitial pulmonary fibrosis  (deep lung tissues that become inflamed and then damaged) 
  • Spontaneous collapsed lung

Children may also develop:

  • Anemia caused by spreading of the tumors to the bone marrow
  • Diabetes insipidus  (a rare form of diabetes) 
  • Lung problems that lead to lung failure
  • Problems with the pituitary gland that lead to growth failure

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

Call your health care provider if you or your child has symptoms of this disorder. Go to the emergency room if shortness of breath or chest pain develops.

 

Prevention

 

Avoid smoking. Quitting smoking can improve the outcome in people with Langerhans cell histiocytosis that affects the lungs.

There is no known prevention for the childhood forms of this disease.

 

 

References

Emile J-F, Abla O, Fraitag S, et al. Revised classification of histiocytoses and neoplasms of the macrophage-dendritic cell lineages. Blood . 2016;127(22):2672-2681. PMID: 26966089. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26966089 .

Haupt R, Minkov M, Astigarraga I, et al. Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH): guidelines for diagnosis, clinical work-up, and treatment for patients till the age of 18 years. Pediatr Blood Cancer . 2013;60(2):175-184. PMID: 23109216. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23109216 .

Hyman DM, Puzanov I, Subbiah V, et al. Vemurafenib in multiple nonmelanoma cancers with BRAF V600 mutations. N Engl J Med . 2015;373(8):726-736. PMID: 26287849. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26287849 .

Zinn DJ, Chakraborty R, Allen CE. Langerhans cell histiocytosis: emerging insights and clinical implications. Oncology . 2016;30(2):122-132, 139. PMID: 26888790. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26888790 .

 
  • Eosinophilic granuloma - X-ray of the skull - illustration

    This x-ray of the skull shows an eosinophilic granuloma (a lesion made-up of a type of white blood cell). This condition can range from a single eosinophilic granuloma to massive infiltration of skin, bone, and body organs.

    Eosinophilic granuloma - X-ray of the skull

    illustration

  • Respiratory system - illustration

    Air is breathed in through the nasal passageways, travels through the trachea and bronchi to the lungs.

    Respiratory system

    illustration

    • Eosinophilic granuloma - X-ray of the skull - illustration

      This x-ray of the skull shows an eosinophilic granuloma (a lesion made-up of a type of white blood cell). This condition can range from a single eosinophilic granuloma to massive infiltration of skin, bone, and body organs.

      Eosinophilic granuloma - X-ray of the skull

      illustration

    • Respiratory system - illustration

      Air is breathed in through the nasal passageways, travels through the trachea and bronchi to the lungs.

      Respiratory system

      illustration


     

    Review Date: 6/9/2016

    Reviewed By: Gordon A. Starkebaum, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

    The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

     
     
     

     

     

    A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.



    Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.