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- $Unique_ID{BRK03974}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Mastocytosis}
- $Subject{Mastocytosis Systemic Mastocytosis Systemic Mast Cell Disease Mast
- Cell Leukemia Urticaria Pigmentosa }
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1987, 1990, 1992 National Organization for Rare Disorders,
- Inc.
-
- 441:
- Mastocytosis
-
- ** IMPORTANT **
- It is possible the main title of the article (Mastocytosis) is not the
- name you expected. Please check the SYNONYMS listing on the next page to
- find alternate names, disorder subdivisions, and related disorders covered by
- this article.
-
- Synonyms
-
- Systemic Mastocytosis
- Systemic Mast Cell Disease
-
- DISORDER SUBDIVISIONS
-
- Mast Cell Leukemia
-
- Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related
- Disorders section of this report:
-
- Urticaria Pigmentosa
-
- General Discussion
-
- ** REMINDER **
- The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
- educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
- purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
- contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources
- section of this report.
-
-
- Mastocytosis is a genetic disorder characterized by abnormal
- accumulations of specific cells (mast cells) normally found in connective
- tissue. The liver, spleen, lungs, bone, skin, and sometimes the membrane
- surrounding the brain and spine (meninges) may be affected. Cases beginning
- during adulthood tend to involve the inner organs more than the skin, whereas
- during childhood, the condition is often marked by skin manifestations with
- minimal organ involvement.
-
- Symptoms
-
- Mastocytosis is initially characterized by a vague feeling of discomfort or
- ill health, weakness, nausea, vomiting, heart beat irregularities, weight
- loss, and/or diarrhea. In adults, this disorder usually occurs with minimal
- skin involvement. When cases begin during childhood, the skin tends to be
- affected more than the other organs. Discolored, thickened spots which can
- join or run together, and dilated blood vessels may appear on the skin.
- Other skin manifestations may include patches associated with progressive
- overdevelopment of white blood cells, and chronic flat, patterned skin
- growths. Discoloration may be minimal in affected skin areas although light
- rubbing or stroking may produce redness and swelling.
-
- The mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, and rectum may be involved. The
- liver, spleen, and lymph nodes may become enlarged. Bones affected by
- Mastocytosis may become softened and deteriorate, although some new bone
- growth may occur with thickening of the outer portions or spongy inner areas
- of bones. Duodenal ulcer is a rare complication of mastocytosis and may be
- associated with upper abdominal pain and bleeding.
-
- Causes
-
- Mastocytosis is a genetic disorder although the exact mode of inheritance is
- not known. Symptoms may be caused by a an overproduction and release of
- histamine from connective tissue (mast) cells. These cells accumulate in
- various organs or in the skin. Histamine is a natural chemical produced by
- the body that normally causes reactions in smooth muscles and capillaries,
- and stimulates gastric secretions.
-
- Affected Population
-
- Mastocytosis affects males and females in equal numbers. It can begin during
- childhood, but most commonly affects adults.
-
- Related Disorders
-
- Symptoms of the following disorder can be similar to those of Mastocytosis.
- Comparison may be useful for a differential diagnosis:
-
- Urticaria Pigmentosa is a form of mast cell disease limited to the upper
- skin layer. A chronic eruption occurs characterized by brownish elevated
- spots (papules) which may be surrounded by reddened itchy skin when stroked.
- On the other hand, Mastocytosis is characterized by involvement of various
- organs with or without the skin symptoms. (For more information on this
- disorder, choose "Urticaria Pigmentosa" as your search term in the Rare
- Disease Database).
-
- Therapies: Standard
-
- Treatment of Mastocytosis is directed at both controlling overproduction and
- release of mast cells, and blocking the potential effects of too much
- histamine. Use of a combination of antihistamine drugs such as
- chlorpheniramine and cimetidine, or cromolyn sodium may be helpful. In
- advanced stages of mast cell accumulations, surgery may be indicated to
- improve the functioning of affected organs. Other treatment is symptomatic
- and supportive.
-
- A new drug, oral cromolyn sodium (Gastrocrom R) is being used to
- stabilize the mast cell membrane, thereby preventing attacks from occuring as
- well as relieving symptoms of Mastocytosis. The manufacturers of the drug,
- Fisons Corporation, have in place a Patient Assistance Program, established
- to provide Gastrocrom R free of charge to needy patients. For more
- information, patients can write to: Fisons Corp., Gastrocrom Patient
- Assistance Program, Box 1776, Rochester, NY 14603. Physicians can call the
- Gastrocrom Mastocytosis Hotline at 1-800-727-6100.
-
- Therapies: Investigational
-
- Clinical trials are underway to study systemic mast cell stimulation.
- Interested persons may wish to contact:
-
- Dr. L. Jackson Roberts, II
- 514 Medical Research Bldg.
- Vanderbilt University
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology
- Nashville, TN 37232
- (615) 322-3304
-
- to see if further patients are needed for this research.
-
- This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
- January 1992. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep
- every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate.
- Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most
- current information about this disorder.
-
- Resources
-
- For more information on Mastocytosis, please contact:
-
- National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
- P.O. Box 8923
- New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
- (203) 746-6518
-
- The National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information
- Clearinghouse
- Box AMS
- Bethesda, MD 20892
- (301) 495-4484
-
- NIH/National Cancer Institute
- 9000 Rockville Pike, Bldg. 31, Rm. 1A2A
- Bethesda, MD 20892
- 1-800-4-CANCER
-
- The National Cancer Institute has developed PDQ (Physician Data Query), a
- computerized database designed to give doctors quick and easy access to many
- types of information vital to treating patients with this and many other
- types of cancer. To gain access to this service, a doctor can contact the
- Cancer Information Service offices at 1-800-4-CANCER. Information
- specialists at this toll-free number can answer questions about cancer
- prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
-
- References
-
- MASTOCYTOSIS: A REVIEW: D.H. Stein; Pediatr Dermatol (November 1986, issue
- 3(5)). Pp. 365-375.
-
-