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. As these cells accumulate, they can form tumors or cause damage to tissues, bones, and organs.
LCH can show up anywhere in the body. It is most common in the skin and bones. It can also impact the bone marrow, lymph nodes, and major organs like the lungs, liver, brain, and spleen.
LCH is more common in children than adults. It occurs in about 1 out of every 200,000 children. It’s most often diagnosed between the ages of 1 and 3.
LCH 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).
