Quality of survival in histiocytosis X: a Southwest Oncology Group study

Sixty children survived for five years after the diagnosis of histiocytosis X. Serious disabilities were seen in 50% of children whose disease involved soft tissue and bone. Late deaths from pulmonary failure were associated with opportunistic infections in two cases. Future treatment approaches must weigh the risks of therapy-related complications against the probability of significant disability if the disease continues for many years.