What is Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH)?
Langerhans cells are a type of white blood cells. With Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) there are too many of these Langerhans cells. Why this is so is not known.
LCH can cause problems in almost all organs, but most often in the bones and skin. Some people have the disease only in their bones. Other people have the disease in organs such as the lungs and liver.
It is difficult to say something general about the symptoms of langerhans cell histiocytosis. It depends on where the disease is and how bad it is. There are people that almost no complaints or in whom the disease disappears. But in very young children, the disease can be life threatening, as he is in many organs. And then there are also people who have the disease comes in waves and goes.
Which complaints can have people with this disease?
- Fever.
- Eczema: yellow to reddish brown, scaly spots. Sometimes bleeding spots too.
- The lungs, liver and spleen not work properly.
- Often ear infection.
- Balance problems.
- Swollen gums, with loose or lost teeth.
- Diabetes insipidus (excessive urination and thirst).
- Slow growth.
Langerhans cell histiocytosis diagnosis
To determine Langerhans cell histiocytosis, the doctor must do several studies:
- Blood tests;
- X-rays;
- CT scans or MRI scans.
Langerhans cell histiocytosis treatment
The treatment of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) depends on the symptoms.
There are just too many cells in certain places in the bone then treatment is not immediately necessary. However, there are regular checks. Is it necessary treatment, this is done by a corticosteroid injection into the diseased bone. If this does not, then it follows irradiation of the bone.
People with more diseased organs receiving corticosteroids and sometimes chemotherapy. If the liver or another organ is very ill, surgery may be needed.