Constitutes diverse group of disorders characterized by prominent proliferation or accumulation of monocyte-macrophage (myeloid) cells. Classification relies on histopathologic, clinical, and genetic findings.

Current Systematic Classification

Modern classification divides histiocytosis into five main groups based on clinical and genetic presentation.

GroupCategorySpecific Disorders
LLangerhans-Related- Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) (Single system, pulmonary, multisystem with/without risk organs)- Erdheim-Chester disease- Extracutaneous/disseminated juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) with MAPK mutations
CCutaneous And Mucosal- Histiocytoses with cutaneous or mucosal involvement
RRosai-Dorfman-Destombes- Familial- Sporadic classical (with/without IgG4)- Sporadic extranodal
MMalignant Histiocytoses- Primary phenotypic subtypes- Secondary phenotypic subtypes
HHemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytoses- Primary- Sporadic- Unknown

Traditional Histopathologic Classification

Historically categorized into three distinct classes based on cellular origin and behavior.

ClassCell Of OriginSpecific Disorders
Class IDendritic Cell Disorders- Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH)- Juvenile xanthogranuloma- Solitary histiocytoma with dendritic phenotype
Class IIMacrophage-Related Disorders- Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) (Primary and secondary)- Rosai-Dorfman disease- Solitary histiocytoma with macrophage phenotype
Class IIIMalignant Histiocyte Disorders- Monocyte related leukemias- Extramedullary monocytic tumors- Dendritic cell/macrophage related histiocytic sarcoma