What is Langerhans cell histiocytosis?

Also known as: LCH, childhood Langerhans cell histiocytosis, diffuse reticuloendotheliosis, eosinophilic granuloma , histiocytosis x and others.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disease of children (most commonly between the ages of 1-3 years; boys more often than girls) in which a certain immature normal white blood type (Langerhans cells, a type of histiocyte) grows uncontrollably and rapidly in almost any organ; there appears to be debate as to whether this is a form of cancer or not.

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Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM