A framework for understanding and responding to the psychosocial needs of children with Langerhans cell histiocytosis and their families.

This article presents a five-point framework to help health-care providers understand and manage important psychosocial issues related to Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). It entails frank and open discussions with patients and their families of how the disease can affect them individually and collectively. Each point is explained and then applied to two different cases. The framework is applicable to all chronic pediatric diseases, but is particularly relevant for rare conditions with unknown etiologies such as LCH.