Langerhans cell histiocytosis

This is a childhood disease which occurs infrequently. When it is found in a serious and aggressive form, it has many features of a cancer. On the other hand, the disease can behave in a benign manner. Histiocytes are normally present in different parts of the body such as the blood stream, skin, liver, lungs, lymph glands and spleen. With this disease, the histiocytes proliferate and infiltrate into the neighbouring tissues. Immunological abnormalities have been described in association with this disease and it has led to the suggestion that Langerhans cell histiocytosis may be a disorder of the immune system.

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