Histiocytosis Program

Expert histiocytosis care at Children's National: Why choose us?

 
Histiocytosis is a group of rare disorders that cause the body to overproduce histiocytes, a type of white blood cell. These abnormal histiocytes can accumulate in different organs and tissues and can lead to tumors, organ damage and deterioration. 

For a long time, the cause of histiocytosis was not known. We now know that one group of diseases, often known as the L-group, are histiocytic neoplasms and are classified as rare cancers by the WHO. The other group, also known as the H-group, is due to an overstimulation of the immune system, because of either inherited conditions or overwhelming triggers. Here at Children’s National, we offer expertise in both. 

Regardless of your child’s diagnosis or success with previous treatments, we offer advanced care to help your child have the best possible outcome. Highlights of our program include:

• Expertise: Our experts have a unique appreciation for the progression of histiocytosis. Children’s National is home to two of the nation’s leading histiocyte disorder experts: Birte Wistinghausen, MD, and Stephan Ladisch, MD. Both physicians have decades of experience treating children with histiocytic disorders and have been active participants in the Histiocyte Society, a global organization of experts in histiocytosis. 
• An international referral center: Families and physicians from all over the Washington, D.C., area place their trust in the experts at Children’s National. We also receive requests for consultations and second opinions from all over the country and the world. We have a multidisciplinary team with expertise in caring for children with this rare group of diseases.
• Research: Children’s National has an active histiocytosis clinical trial program that offers access to cutting-edge therapies for newly diagnosed, relapsed and treatment-resistant patients. We are one of only a few comprehensive histiocytosis programs in the United States, and through our collaboration with other centers, we are advancing the field of histiocyte disorder treatments and care. Learn more about our clinical trials. 
• Global collaboration: In July 2014, Children’s National, along with 11 other children's hospitals in the U.S. and Canada, were founding principal investigators of the North American Consortium for Histiocytosis (NACHO). As a member of NACHO, we provide patients with access to innovative treatments and clinical trials aimed at improving outcomes with fewer side effects. Drs. Wistinghausen and Ladisch continue to serve on the executive committee. Additionally, we collaborate globally with healthcare providers through the Histiocyte Society and the Children’s Oncology Group.