[Langerhans-cell histiocytosis (histiocytosis X); 20-year experience in the Emma Kinderziekenhuis, 1969-1988].
OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of the diagnostic and therapeutic results in 50 paediatric patients treated for Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) over a 20-year period at the Emma Kinderziekenhuis (EKZ) in Amsterdam.


METHODS
Group A consisted of 18 patients with localized disease affecting the bone or the skin. Twenty-four patients had multifocal disease (group B) affecting more than one bone or soft-tissue lesions with or without skin lesions, diabetes insipidus or both. Eight patients (group C) had multifocal disease with evidence of dysfunction of liver and/or lungs and/or haemopoietic system. Treatment consisted of one or more of the following possibilities: curettage, radiotherapy, corticosteroids (locally, intralesional, orally) or chemotherapy. Some patients were simply observed.


RESULTS
At present all patients of group A (100%) are in complete clinical remission and only two patients have developed sequelae. Twenty-one patients of group B (88%) are in complete clinical remission. One patient died of an apudoma, without signs of LCH and two (8%) are still suffering from recurrent disease. In the overall group eight patients (33%) developed sequelae. Of group C, five patients (63%) are in complete clinical remission, of whom one developed diabetes insipidus as a sequela. Two patients (25%) died and one patient is still suffering from active disease.


CONCLUSIONS
If, in addition to supportive treatment, more intensive therapy such as chemotherapy is indicated, we use a regimen containing cytosine-arabinoside, vincristine and prednisolone. This combination is not very aggressive or toxic and has been well tolerated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Egeler
R M
RM
Emma Kinderziekenhuis/Het Kinder AMC, afd. Kindergeneeskunde, Amsterdam.
de Kraker
J
J
Voûte
P A
PA
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006646:Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011379:Prognosis; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D003561:Cytarabine; D014750:Vincristine; D011241:Prednisone
Langerhans-cel-histiocytosis (histiocytosis X); 20 jaar ervaring in het Emma Kinderziekenhuis, 1969-1988.