Malignant histiocytosis

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**Malignant histiocytosis**
*Classification & external resources*
ICD-10	C 96.1
ICD-9	202.3
MeSH	D006647

Malignant histiocytosis is a hereditary disease found in the Bernese Mountain Dog characterized by histiocytic infiltration of the lungs and lymph nodes. The liver, spleen, and central nervous system can also be affected. Histiocytes are a component of the immune system that proliferate abnormally in this disease. Up to 25 percent of Bernese Mountain Dogs may develop malignant histiocytosis in their lifetime.^[1] Other breeds with a possible genetic tendency toward malignant histiocytosis include Rottweilers, Flat-Coated Retrievers, and Golden Retrievers^[2]. The disease in the lungs is characterized by enlargement of the tracheobronchial lymph nodes and infiltration of the lungs, sometimes leading to lung lobe consolidation and pleural effusion.^[3] Signs and symptoms include cough, loss of appetite, weight loss, anemia, and difficulty breathing.^[4] Seizures and rear limb weakness can be seen. Invasion of the bone marrow can cause pancytopenia.^[5] Diagnosis requires a biopsy. Treatment with chemotherapy has been used with some success, particularly using lomustine, prednisone, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide.^[6] Because of the rapid progression of this aggressive disease, the prognosis is very poor.^[7]

A similar disease is diffuse histiocytic sarcoma, a term used to designate a localized histiocytic sarcoma that has spread throughout the body.^[6]

Another disease of histiocytic origin that affects Bernese Mountain Dogs is systemic histiocytosis. This condition generally begins as lesions on the eyelids, nasal mucosa, and skin, especially the scrotum. It progresses to a more generalized disease affecting the lymph nodes, bone marrow and spleen.^[8] Other signs and symptoms include weight loss and loss of appetite.^[6] It also has a very poor prognosis.

In addition to its importance in veterinary medicine, the condition is also important in human pathology.^[9]

[edit] See also

Histiocytosis

[edit] Reference

^ Parker, A.G., Rutteman, G.R., Cadieu, E., et al. (2006). Malignant Histiocytosis in the Bernese Mountain Dog: Design and Execution of a Case-Control Study. Genes, Dogs and Cancer: Fourth Annual Canine Cancer Conference. Retrieved on January 28, 2007.
^ Ettinger, Stephen J.;Feldman, Edward C. (1995). Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 4th ed., W.B. Saunders Company. ISBN 0-7216-6795-3.
^ Kessler, Martin (2006). Radiographic diagnosis of primary and metastatic lung tumors. Proceedings of the North American Veterinary Conference. Retrieved on January 28, 2007.
^ Affolter, Verena K. (2004). Histiocytic Proliferative Diseases in Dogs and Cats. Proceedings of the 29th World Congress of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association. Retrieved on January 28, 2007.
^ Kearns, Shawn Ann; Ewing, Patty (Feb. 2006). "Causes of canine and feline pancytopenia". Compendium on Continuing Education for the Practicing Veterinarian 28 (2): 122-133.
^ ^a ^b ^c Cronin, Kim (Dec. 2006). "Deciphering the histiocytic code". DVM: 1S-8S.
^ Affolter V, Moore P (2002). "Localized and disseminated histiocytic sarcoma of dendritic cell origin in dogs". Vet Pathol 39 (1): 74-83. PMID 12102221.
^ Tumors with Histiocytic Differentiation. The Merck Veterinary Manual (2006). Retrieved on January 28, 2007.
^ http://dermnetnz.org/dermal-infiltrative/malignant-histiocytoses.html