Langerhans cell histiocytosis

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disorder that occurs when your child has too many of a certain type of white blood cell.

• The white blood cell affected is called a Langerhans cell (it was named for a German scientist).
• These cells normally reside in the skin and help fight infections and destroy certain foreign substances in the body.
• In LCH, these cells accumulate on bones and other parts of the body, particularly the head and neck, causing a wide range of problems.
• LCH can also be found in the ribs, sternum, long bones of the arms and legs, vertebra of the spine and the pelvis.
• Although LCH can occur in people of all ages, a majority of cases occur in children who are under 10 years old.

Individualized care, new treatments

Through Dana-Farber/Children’s Hospital Cancer Center, a 50-year partnership between Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, your child will receive individualized care to treat every aspect of his condition from an expert team of specialists.

Your child will also benefit from a team of researchers striving to understand the scientific causes of Langerhans cell histiocytosis, which results in continual introduction of new treatment options.