Malignant histiocytosis
Malignant Histiocytosis
Malignant histiocytosis (pronunciation: ma-lig-nant his-ti-o-cy-to-sis) is a rare type of cancer that affects the histiocytes, a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in the immune system.
Etymology
The term "malignant histiocytosis" is derived from three words: "malignant", which is from the Latin malignus meaning harmful or deadly; "histio", which is from the Greek histos meaning tissue; and "cytosis", which is from the Greek kytos meaning cell.
Definition
Malignant histiocytosis is a disorder characterized by the abnormal proliferation of histiocytes. These cells, which are a type of macrophage, are part of the body's immune system and help to fight off infections and diseases. When these cells become malignant, they can multiply uncontrollably and invade other tissues and organs, leading to serious health problems.
Symptoms
Symptoms of malignant histiocytosis can vary widely depending on the organs affected, but may include fever, fatigue, weight loss, and anemia. In some cases, the disease can also cause lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes) and hepatosplenomegaly (enlarged liver and spleen).
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of malignant histiocytosis typically involves a combination of blood tests, imaging studies, and biopsy of affected tissues. The diagnosis is confirmed by identifying the presence of abnormal histiocytes in the biopsy sample.
Treatment
Treatment for malignant histiocytosis typically involves chemotherapy to kill the malignant cells, and may also include radiation therapy or stem cell transplantation in certain cases.
Prognosis
The prognosis for malignant histiocytosis can vary widely depending on the stage of the disease at diagnosis, the patient's overall health, and the response to treatment.
Related Terms
- Histiocytosis
- Langerhans cell histiocytosis
- Non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis
- Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Malignant histiocytosis
- Wikipedia's article - Malignant histiocytosis
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