Langerhans cell histiocytosis

RE: Langerhans cell histiocytosis

Joyce Whitehead — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 17:51:22 GMT

Just to update on this case for anyone interested. After discussion with the owner and research suggesting there wasn't much helpful we could do, we opted for glorious inactivity and to let her go on as long as she was happy.

She was brought on earlier this week with respiratory distress, no sign of pleural effusion, suspected lung infiltration. Given her age and difficulty breathing, she was put to sleep.

RE: Langerhans cell histiocytosis

Joyce Whitehead — Wed, 03 Feb 2016 19:54:12 GMT

Thanks Andy, I also read the comment about it not occurring in feline skin! Someone suggested the possibility of palladia working, so I wonder if Gerry Polton had any comments...

RE: Langerhans cell histiocytosis

Andrew Kent — Wed, 03 Feb 2016 18:30:45 GMT

Hi Joyce,

Interesting case! I'm neither an oncologist or dermatologist but this sounds more like feline progressive histiocytosis clinically, and I am not aware (though could easily be wrong) that langerhanns cell histicytosis has been reported to involve the skin in the same way.

There is a nice review of feline progressive histiocytosis here:

http://vet.sagepub.com/content/43/5/646.long

and histiocytic classification here:

http://vet.sagepub.com/content/51/1/167.long

the second one includes the comment "Langerhans cell disorders do not occur in feline skin." which is interesting.

I think I would discuss this with whichever specialist oncologist you can talk to as it sounds very strange - if it is histiocytic in origin then lomustine might be an option, otherwise prednisolone might have some palliative benefit.

It may also be worth talking to the pathologist about it in light of the unusual conclusion.

Do let us know what you decide to do!

Andy