title: Langerhans' cell histiocytosis: experience from a single center.
abstract: Clinical profile, disease-distribution and outcome of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is presented in this retrospective analysis. There were 69 children with LCH from January 1986 to December 2004. Diagnosis was presumptive in the majority. The age ranged from 2 months to 12 years. Multisystem disease was documented in 48 (69.6%) children. Evidence of hepatic dysfunction was detected in 25 (36.2%). An elevated serum alkaline phosphatase was a prominent observation in patients with hepatic involvement. Children with localized disease received oral steroids, while cases with disseminated/multi-system disease were treated with prednisolone and, vinblastine or etoposide. 20 (54%) children with disseminated disease and organ dysfunction died. A favorable outcome was documented in all but one case with localized disease. Portal hypertension developed in 3 cases, all of whom had a fatal outcome. Twelve (17.4%) patients had diabetes insipidus. Disseminated disease with organ dysfunction was observed to be a predictor of fatal outcome.
authors: Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Advanced Pediatric Center, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160 012, India.
authors: Deepak
authors: D
authors: Bansal
authors: R K
authors: RK
authors: Marwaha
authors: Amita
authors: A
authors: Trehan
authors: Vishal
authors: V
authors: Gupta
authors: Neelam
authors: N
authors: Varma
mesh_terms: D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003919:Diabetes Insipidus / Q000453:epidemiology; D006646:Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies