Langerhans cell histiocytosis
- Correspondence to Dr K Windebank, Child Health, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Queen Victoria Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP, UK; k.p.windebank{at}ncl.ac.uk
- Accepted 24 April 2009
- Published Online First 19 May 2009
Abstract
Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a rare disease. Depending on which organs are involved, the disease may prove rapidly fatal, develop a chronic reactivating but therapy-responsive pattern or resolve spontaneously. Understanding of the pathology of the disease is progressing rapidly, and while clinical trials of standard chemotherapy agents continue, it is likely that novel targeted therapy will become feasible in the next decade. Permanent consequences of the disease are more commoner than generally realised.
Footnotes
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Competing interests None.
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Provenance and Peer review Commissioned; externally peer reviewed.
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Patient consent Obtained from the parents.
