We all know that white blood cells in our bodies are like soldiers that protect us from diseases. But imagine, what happens if these protective cells, called histiocytes, grow too much in our bodies? That's when the problem begins. These cells can accumulate and form tumors and lesions in various parts of the body. Today we are talking about a rare disease that develops like this.
What is LCH (Langerhans cell histiocytosis)?
Simply put, LCH (Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis) is a rare condition that resembles some types of cancer. In this condition, a type of immune cell called Langerhans grows uncontrollably and accumulates in various parts of the body.
This disease is most commonly seen in young children and babies , but it can also occur in adults. Although it is sometimes thought to be cancer, it is not actually cancer. However, it is treated by oncologists. So don't worry. Let's look at this further.
What are the symptoms of this disease?
LCH can affect any organ in the body. For example, it can affect the lungs, liver, brain, spleen, or lymph nodes. However, the most common symptoms are seen in the skin and bones.
Some people may experience very mild symptoms and get better on their own without any treatment. However, for others, it can be a long-term condition that affects multiple parts of the body.
Let's look at the table below to see what symptoms LCH presents when it affects different parts of the body.
| Affected body part | Symptoms that can be seen |
|---|---|
| Bones | Often painful swellings or lumps (granulomas) form in the skull and other bones. This can cause bone pain, swelling, and sometimes even fractures in the limbs. |
| Skin | Red, scaly bumps in skin folds (e.g. armpits, groin). Babies may develop red, scaly patches on the scalp. This can sometimes be mistaken for cradle cap, which is a common condition. |
| Liver | The liver is usually affected in severe cases of the disease. Symptoms include yellowing of the skin (jaundice) and a longer period of time for blood to clot. |
| Lymph Nodes | Swelling of the glands behind the ears, in the neck, and elsewhere. In addition, difficulty breathing and coughing may occur. |
How to accurately diagnose the disease?
If your doctor suspects this disease, they will need to do a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. This involves taking a very small piece of tissue from the suspicious area and having it examined under a microscope by a pathologist. This will look for specific proteins and other markers that are specific to the disease.
In addition, your doctor may order further tests depending on your symptoms.
- X-ray tests: Check the condition of your lungs and bones.
- Bone marrow biopsy: Checks for LCH cells in the bone marrow.
- Blood chemistry tests: Check the functioning of the kidneys, liver, thyroid gland, and immune system.
- MRI, PET, and CT scans: Get detailed images of the inside of the body.
- Urinalysis: Check the levels of red and white cells, protein, and sugar in the urine.
What causes LCH?
We still don't know exactly why some people develop LCH. But it's been found that about half of people with the disease have a faulty gene that causes Langerhans cells to grow out of control. Importantly, this genetic change (mutation) occurs after birth. This means that it's not a disease that is inherited from parents .
In addition, researchers suspect that several other factors may influence this:
- Smoking.
- Parental exposure to environmental toxins such as benzene or wood dust.
- Infections in the newborn period.
- Having a family history of thyroid disease.
What are the treatments for this?
Chemotherapy is sometimes used to treat LCH, as it is used to treat some types of cancer. Therefore, many people with this disease are cared for by oncologists and hematologists.
But remember, unlike cancer, limited forms of LCH sometimes resolve on their own without any treatment.
Let's see what the treatment options are in the table below.
| Treatment method | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Chemotherapy | Administering drugs to destroy diseased cells. |
| Radiation therapy | Low-dose radiation is delivered to only the part of the body affected by the disease. |
| Surgery | Surgical removal of tumors or lesions caused by LCH. |
| Steroids | Administering steroids or other anti-inflammatory medications such as prednisone. |
| UV light therapy | A treatment for skin conditions using a special light. |
| Stem cell transplant | A treatment method considered in very severe cases. |
The vast majority of people with LCH recover after treatment. If the disease has affected your spleen, liver, or bone marrow, it is called 'high-risk LCH'. Even in this case, about 80% of people make a full recovery . So it's important to stay hopeful.
Take-Home Message
- LCH is a rare disease. It is not cancer itself, but it is treated in the same way as cancer.
- Although this is most commonly seen in young children, it can develop in anyone of any age.
- If you have symptoms like skin lesions, bone pain, or swelling, don't ignore them.
- If you or your child has any doubts about these symptoms, definitely see your doctor . Don't panic and try to diagnose yourself online.
- With proper treatment, the majority of LCH patients make a full recovery. Therefore, it is very important to follow the correct medical advice.
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