Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

Pronunciation

Definition 1

A rare disorder in which histiocytes and lymphocytes (types of white blood cells) build up in organs including the skin, spleen, and liver, and destroy other blood cells. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis may be inherited or caused by certain conditions or diseases, including infections, immunodeficiency (inability of the body to fight infections), and cancer. Also called HLH. (NCI Dictionary)

Definition 2

A rare but potentially life-threatening disorder characterized by the proliferation of histiocytes and macrophages and phagocytosis of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. It may be inherited or secondary, due to infections, autoimmune disorders, or underlying malignancies. Signs and symptoms include fever, lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and pancytopenia. (NCI Thesaurus)

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