title: Langerhan's cell histiocytosis: A single institutional experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a disease that primarily affects bone but can be associated with a clinical spectrum that ranges from a solitary bone lesion with a favorable natural history to a multisystem, life-threatening disease process.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We analyzed our single institutional experience of managing children with LCH.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 40 children of LCH, managed in tertiary cancer center in South India in the period from 2001 to 2005, were evaluated retrospectively.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinicopathological features, laboratory findings, treatment modalities and long-term outcome were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Children were aged between 2 months and 12 years, with a mean of 3 years. Majority of the children were below 5 years of age. Group B constituted a bulk of children. Disseminated cases were less (five patients). Liver function dysfunction was seen in four (10%) children. Pulmonary interstitial infiltrates were seen in two (5%) cases. Diabetes insipidus manifested in three patients. There was one death.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A better understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of LCH will result in more directed and efficacious treatment regimens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore - 560 030, India.
authors.forename: Tejinder
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Satheesh
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Appaji
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Aruna Kumari
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Mamatha
authors.forename: G V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Giri
authors.forename: Clementina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rama Rao