LCH and Histiocytic Disorder Second Opinions
At the Histiocytosis Center, we see many children and families for second opinions. Because Langerhans cell histiocytosis and other histiocytic disorders can sometimes be difficult to identify, it’s important to have a team that specializes in diagnosing these conditions.
Our team includes one of the country’s leading pathology experts in histiocytic disorders, Jennifer Picarsic, MD. We have access to a range of tests that can determine whether your child has a histiocytic disorder.
What Is the Benefit of Getting a Second Opinion?
Diagnosing a histiocytic disorder is not always straightforward and can sometimes require many tests on a biopsy (also called “staining” the tissue biopsy). Because of this, these conditions are often misdiagnosed. Getting a second opinion can help make sure you have a precise diagnosis and the right treatment.
Histiocytic disorders are caused by a buildup of abnormal histiocyte cells. This buildup of cells can cause rashes, lesions and tumors. Histiocytes are a type of white blood cell, which play a role in the immune system. Because of this, some people may have a buildup of reactive histiocytes when the immune system is reacting to something, like an infection. These reactive histiocytes can sometimes be mistaken for a histiocytic disorder. In other cases, the reactive histiocytes may cover up an actual histiocytic lesion or another type of lesion.
Second opinions can also open the door to new treatment options that may not be available at your primary hospital or doctor’s office. At the Histiocytosis Center, we offer a groundbreaking oral therapy as a first-line treatment for some patients. We’ve found this treatment to be more effective than the standard chemotherapy with fewer side effects.
How Do I Start the Process of Getting a Second Opinion?
The second opinion process starts with a referral. You can refer yourself by calling our center’s care manager, Kristen Coleman, RN, BSN. She can be reached at 513-517-2234 or through this online form.
When you reach out to Kristen, she will gather some basic health and diagnosis information from you and walk you through the second opinion process.
Your doctor can also contact Cincinnati Children’s directly and request a referral to start the second opinion process.
What Can I Expect During the Second Opinion Process?
After the referral, our team will work to gather all of your medical information, including diagnosis details, scans, test results and information about previous treatment. Our goal is to make the second opinion process as smooth as possible.
Once we get all of your records organized, we will review the information and schedule a time for you to come in and meet with our team. Our pathologist will also review previous test results and may run additional tests on your biopsy. If we need any additional scans or tests done, we will schedule them for the same day as your appointment at Cincinnati Children’s.
During your appointment, our team will go over any new test results. We’ll also talk through the different treatment options available, including some of the new treatments we are offering at Cincinnati Children’s. Our team will make sure to talk through all the pros and cons of the different treatment options. We’ll also cover where these treatments are available.
If you decide to go with one of our recommended treatments, you can complete the treatment at Cincinnati Children’s or with your home physician. We can coordinate treatment with your physician and communicate with them about your progress.
Many patients start treatment with our team and eventually transition to their home physician. These patients typically come back to Cincinnati Children’s once a year for a check-up.
Do I Need to Bring Anything with Me to the Appointment?
You won’t need to bring any test results or paperwork with you to your second opinion appointment. Our team will gather all of your records and test results before you arrive.
