What is Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis?
Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare, cancer-like condition. It happens when a person’s body makes too many immature Langerhans cells. These cells are a type of immune cell known as histiocytes. When these cells build up, they can form tumors or damage tissue, bone and organs.
Langerhans cell histiocytosis can show up anywhere in the body. It is most common in the skin and bones. It also can affect bone marrow, lymph nodes and organs, including the lungs, liver, brain and spleen.
The disease is more common in children than adults. It occurs in about one out of every 200,000 children. It’s most often diagnosed between the ages of 1 and 3.
Langerhans cell histiocytosis is the most common type of histiocytic disorder. These are conditions in which the body makes too many histiocyte cells. Other histiocytic disorders include juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG), Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) and Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD).