Kimura’s disease is a rare condition that causes lumps on the head or neck, mostly affecting young Asian men. The cause is unknown, and diagnosis involves a visual inspection or taking a sample of the lump. Treatment varies depending on the severity of the growths and can include vitamin supplements, steroids, and radiation.
Kimura’s disease is a relatively harmless health condition that causes the afflicted person to develop lumps on the head or neck. It is a rare disease that mostly affects Asian men. The cause of Kimura’s illness is unknown, and research is hampered by its rarity. Diagnosing the disease includes a visual inspection of the person’s body, because the lumps are usually quite obvious. Healthcare professionals disagree on the best treatment, but the lumps are occasionally removed by surgery.
The disease was first reported in China in the late 1930s, but was not given its current name until about 1950. People with Kimura’s disease are usually quite young, between eight and 30 years. Most of the reported cases have occurred in Asian males, but are not limited to Asian race. The disease is virtually unknown in North America and the UK, but researchers aren’t sure why.
As of 2011, the cause of Kimura’s disease is unknown, and there are only theories as to why people get it. Some theories involve an allergic reaction, a virus or a parasite, resulting in an autoimmune reaction. All theories, including those, however, are still baseless and many of them are little more than guesses. There are many other theories about the cause of the disease, but they are complicated for the layman. The research is ongoing and eventually there may be a definite cause.
A diagnosis can be made by taking a sample of the lump. Additionally, health care providers can usually narrow down a patient’s problem simply by looking at the lump. Sometimes other diseases, both harmless and potentially fatal, mimic the disease. It’s important for healthcare professionals to be sure of a diagnosis before starting treatment, because the lump could be cancer or a health problem that would go away on its own. Nodules located on parts of the body other than the head or neck are usually not this disease.
Lesions caused by Kimura’s disease aren’t always treated, but when they are, it’s typically for cosmetic reasons. Vitamin supplements, steroids, and radiation are often used in the treatment of Kimura’s disease. Which treatments are used depends on the severity of the growths caused by the disease and how much they bother the person who is afflicted with them. For example, radiation is typically not used to treat this condition unless a person’s quality of life is affected significantly enough to use such a dangerous treatment option.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
