Langerhan cell histiocytosis
Langerhans cell histiocytosis (also called histiocytosis X) is a rare disorder that primarily affects children. This disorder is characterized by an abnormal increase in certain immune cells called histiocyte cells. Histiocyte cells are a form of white blood cells that help the immune system destroy foreign materials and fight infection. The extra immune cells produced by this condition may form tumors, which can affect parts of the body like the bones and possibly spread to other areas. Langerhans cell histiocytosis historically was thought of as a cancer-like condition, but more recently researchers have begun to consider it an autoimmune phenomenon in which immune cells begin to overproduce and attack the body instead of fighting infection. In most cases it is not known why the disorder appears, although there may be a genetic link. However, it is not contagious; people with Langerhans cell histiocytosis cannot spread the disorder to others.
