• Multisystem, high-risk disease—involves more than one body system, affecting the function of one or more of the following organs: bone marrow, liver, spleen, or lung. • Multisystem, low-risk disease—involves more than one body system, but does not include any of the high-risk sites.
n HOW IS LANGERHANS CELL HISTIOCYTOSIS TREATED?
Chemotherapy LCH is commonly treated with chemotherapy. Even though LCH is not a cancer, it is treated with chemotherapy because of overactivity of abnormal Langerhans cells. Chemotherapy is given by mouth or through the vein. Common chemotherapies that are used are vinblastine, etoposide, methotrexate, or cyclophosphamide. Corticosteroid Therapy Prednisone is commonly used to treat LCH to help decrease swelling in the body. This is commonly given with chemotherapy.
Radiation Therapy Radiation therapy is rarely used.
Curettage If a bone has just one spot of LCH, the doctor may be able to remove all of the disease when he or she does the biopsy. In this case, no other treatment is necessary.
n WILL NEEDLES BE USED TO ADMINISTER CHEMOTHERAPY? If LCH is to be treated with chemotherapy, a surgeon often will insert a small plastic tube called a venous access device (VAD) or line (“port”) into a large blood vessel, usually under the collar bone. The VAD can make it easier for your child to have blood drawn for blood tests and for medications, chemotherapy, blood products, and nutritional support to be given when needed. You and your child’s healthcare team will decide whether your child needs a VAD. The device is usually left in place for the entire treatment and removed after completion of therapy.
n HOW LONG WILL MY CHILD’S THERAPY LAST? If chemotherapy is recommended, the treatment usually lasts 12 months.
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