Langerhans cells are a type of white blood cell found in the skin and lymph nodes that help prevent infections and trigger immune reactions. Overproduction of these cells can lead to a rare condition called Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), which can be difficult to diagnose and treat. LCH can occur in children as well as adult smokers, and treatment varies based on the individual’s condition.
A Langerhans cell is a specific type of white blood cell. Found largely in the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin, as well as in the lymph nodes, Langerhans cells are an important building block of the immune system. They are classified as dendritic cells because they develop projections called dendrites as they develop. Langerhans cells work to prevent infections and help trigger immune reactions by interacting with T cells. The Langerhans cell, like other forms of white blood cells, is made in the bone marrow.
Under normal conditions, Langerhans cells are present in small numbers, concentrated mainly in the skin, and respond to bacteria and other agents that occur on the skin’s surface and can cause infection. In some cases, however, the body produces too many of this specialized cell, leading to a rare condition called Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). This condition leads to a variety of systemic symptoms and is often difficult to diagnose.
The symptoms and severity of Langerhans cell diseases are determined by where the Langerhans cell proliferation occurs. If the cells multiply and remain mostly in the skin, the result is often localized to the skin. This disorder occurs most often in younger children, so it can manifest as diaper rash or other types of rashes that don’t respond to normal treatment. When cells migrate to other parts of the body, symptoms are much more widespread and severe, and the disorder can be life-threatening. Determining the presence of the Langerhans cell in major organs can also be difficult, often requiring biopsy and other complex diagnostic techniques.
LCH is classified as histiocytosis, a term used to describe diseases that result from the overproduction of white blood cells. Other histiocytoses include leukemia and lymphoma. While some doctors consider LCH to be a cancer-like disease because it results from the abnormal proliferation of a cell, others consider it an autoimmune disease. It occurs most often in children under the age of 10. Treatment varies based on the individual patient’s condition, symptoms, and age, and may include treatment with steroids, chemotherapy, and radiation.
Another form of LCH, pulmonary LCH, occurs in adult smokers rather than children. In this disorder, pulmonary Langerhans cells build up in the lungs, filling the air spaces and other small open areas in the lung tissue. Treatment with steroids is sometimes used, but the most effective treatment for pulmonary LCH is to stop smoking. In advanced cases, a lung transplant may be required.
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