HLH
Medical abbreviation · Hematology and Oncology
| Stands for | Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
HLH stands for Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, a hematology and oncology abbreviation.
Life-threatening syndrome of uncontrolled immune activation in which overactive T cells and macrophages cause persistent fever, enlarged spleen, falling blood counts, liver injury and extremely high ferritin. It may be inherited, typically in infants, or triggered in adults by infections, cancers or autoimmune disease.
Example: Fever for 2 weeks, ferritin 38,000, triglycerides 410, fibrinogen 110, pancytopenia: HLH, HScore 240.
Usage notes
Diagnosis uses the HLH-2004 criteria (five of eight features) or the HScore. Epstein-Barr virus and lymphomas are common triggers in adults, and macrophage activation syndrome is the form linked to rheumatic diseases. Treatment combines immunosuppression, often dexamethasone and etoposide, with treatment of the trigger; the interferon-gamma antibody emapalumab was approved in 2018 for primary HLH.
Related abbreviations
More hematology and oncology abbreviations
- HCT – Hematopoietic cell transplantation
- HD – Hodgkin disease
- HER2 – Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2
- HIT – Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
- HL – Hodgkin lymphoma
- HLA – Human leukocyte antigen
- HNSCC – Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
- HR+ – Hormone receptor-positive
- HS – Hereditary spherocytosis
- HSCT – Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
- Hyper-CVAD – Hyperfractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, Adriamycin…
- ICANS – Immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome
See all 144 hematology and oncology abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.