Erdheim-Chester disease
Last updated 21 Mar 2023
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Erdheim-Chester disease is a rare type of slow-growing blood cancer called a histiocytic neoplasm, which results in overproduction of cells called histiocytes. Histiocytes normally function to destroy foreign substances and protect the body from infection. In Erdheim-Chester disease, the excess production of histiocytes (histiocytosis) leads to inflammation that can damage organs and tissues throughout the body, causing them to become thickened, dense, and scarred (fibrotic); this tissue damage may lead to organ failure.
Description
Erdheim-Chester disease is a rare type of slow-growing blood cancer called a histiocytic neoplasm, which results in overproduction of cells called histiocytes. Histiocytes normally function to destroy foreign substances and protect the body from infection. In Erdheim-Chester disease, the excess production of histiocytes (histiocytosis) leads to inflammation that can damage organs and tissues throughout the body, causing them to become thickened, dense, and scarred (fibrotic); this tissue damage may lead to organ failure.
People with Erdheim-Chester disease often have bone pain, especially in the lower legs and upper arms, due to an abnormal increase in bone density (osteosclerosis). Damage to the pituitary gland (a structure at the base of the brain that produces several hormones, including a hormone that controls the amount of water released in the urine) may result in hormonal problems such as a condition called diabetes insipidus that leads to excessive urination. Abnormally high pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid within the skull (intracranial hypertension) caused by accumulation of histiocytes in the brain may result in headaches, seizures, cognitive impairment, or problems with movement or sensation. People with this condition can also have shortness of breath, heart or kidney disease, protruding eyes (exophthalmos), skin growths, or inability to conceive a child (infertility). Affected individuals may also experience fever, night sweats, fatigue, weakness, and weight loss.
The signs and symptoms of Erdheim-Chester disease usually appear between the ages of 40 and 60, although the disorder can occur at any age. The severity of the condition varies widely; some affected individuals have few or no associated health problems, while others have severe complications that can be life-threatening.
Inheritance patterns
The source lists the following possible inheritance patterns: Not inherited. More than one pattern can apply in different cases.
Related genes
Other names
Lipid granulomatosis
Polyostotic sclerosing histiocytosis
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Further reading and references
- Erdheim-Chester disease; MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
- Bosco J, Allende A, Varikatt W, Lee R, Stewart GJ. Does the BRAF(V600E) mutation herald a new treatment era for Erdheim-Chester disease? A case-based review of a rare and difficult to diagnose disorder. Intern Med J. 2015 Mar;45(3):348-51. doi: 10.1111/imj.12685.
- Campochiaro C, Tomelleri A, Cavalli G, Berti A, Dagna L. Erdheim-Chester disease. Eur J Intern Med. 2015 May;26(4):223-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ejim.2015.03.004. Epub 2015 Apr 10.
- Cives M, Simone V, Rizzo FM, Dicuonzo F, Cristallo Lacalamita M, Ingravallo G, Silvestris F, Dammacco F. Erdheim-Chester disease: a systematic review. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2015 Jul;95(1):1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2015.02.004. Epub 2015 Feb 17.
- Diamond EL, Dagna L, Hyman DM, Cavalli G, Janku F, Estrada-Veras J, Ferrarini M, Abdel-Wahab O, Heaney ML, Scheel PJ, Feeley NK, Ferrero E, McClain KL, Vaglio A, Colby T, Arnaud L, Haroche J. Consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and clinical management of Erdheim-Chester disease. Blood. 2014 Jul 24;124(4):483-92. doi: 10.1182/blood-2014-03-561381. Epub 2014 May 21.
- Graziani G, Podesta MA, Cucchiari D, Reggiani F, Ponticelli C. Erdheim-Chester disease: from palliative care to targeted treatment. Clin Kidney J. 2014 Aug;7(4):339-43. doi: 10.1093/ckj/sfu068. Epub 2014 Jul 15.
- Haroche J, Arnaud L, Cohen-Aubart F, Hervier B, Charlotte F, Emile JF, Amoura Z. Erdheim-Chester disease. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2014 Apr;16(4):412. doi: 10.1007/s11926-014-0412-0.
- Mazor RD, Manevich-Mazor M, Shoenfeld Y. Erdheim-Chester Disease: a comprehensive review of the literature. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2013 Sep 8;8:137. doi: 10.1186/1750-1172-8-137.
- Swerdlow SH, Campo E, Pileri SA, Harris NL, Stein H, Siebert R, Advani R, Ghielmini M, Salles GA, Zelenetz AD, Jaffe ES. The 2016 revision of the World Health Organization classification of lymphoid neoplasms. Blood. 2016 May 19;127(20):2375-90. doi: 10.1182/blood-2016-01-643569. Epub 2016 Mar 15.
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