Histiocytosis Program

About histiocytosis

Histiocytosis refers to a group of syndromes characterized by the abnormal growth of certain immune cells called histiocytes, which include monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells. Children with histiocytosis are treated through our Histiocytosis Program, a part of Dana-Farber/Children’s Hospital Cancer Center.

Our expertise

Dana-Farber/Children’s Hospital Cancer Center offers your child care from many of the world’s most experienced pediatric oncologists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and internationally recognized pediatric subspecialists at Children’s.

Every aspect of your child’s condition is evaluated by a subspecialist with in-depth knowledge of histiocytosis, including pediatric oncologists, dermatologists, orthopedists and radiologists.
We participate in clinical trials sponsored by the Histiocyte Society, offering new therapeutic options to our young patients.
If your child has HLH (hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis) and needs a stem cell transplant, we offer access to one of the most experienced pediatric stem cell transplant teams in the country.
Our researchers are searching for the causes of histiocytosis and working to introduce new treatment options.

Did you know? Histiocytosis is not cancer

Although your child will be treated through the Dana-Farber/Children’s Hospital Cancer Center, histiocytosis is not a form of cancer. However, it does share some of the characteristics of cancer and is often treated using some of the same techniques, such as chemotherapy.

Did you know? Histiocytosis Database

We established a clinical database to identify patterns of disease in patients with Langerhans cell histiocytosis and to determine the effectiveness of their treatments. This database has helped us identify a genetic mutation associated with Langerhans cell histiocytosis.