What do you know about histiocytic disorders? You probably don’t know much, if anything. September is Histiocytosis Awareness month. It’s a good time to learn more about these disorders that involve an overproduction of white blood cells that lead to tumors and damaged organs.<\/p>\n
There are three groups comprising the different histiocytic disorders and diseases. With this wide range of disorders and diseases, a lot of misinformation is also present. Don’t fall for these five myths regarding histiocytosis.<\/p>\n
#1 \u2013 Seniors are safe from these diseases.<\/strong><\/p>\n Some of the types of histiocytic disorders and diseases are more prevalent in children. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is typically found in infants and children. While the majority of cases, approximately 1 case for every 1 million children per the Histiocytosis Association, the disorder can appear at any age. Erdheim-Chester is diagnosed in middle age typically. The Histiocytosis Association states the average age at onset is 53.<\/p>\n #2 \u2013 Only unhealthy adults develop histiocytosis.<\/strong><\/p>\n In the numerous studies that have been performed, there is nothing to indicate that only the unhealthy are affected by histiocytosis. One form, pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis does seem to be more prevalent in smokers. Erdheim-Chester and Rosai-Dorfman, however, do not have a known cause.<\/p>\n