Castleman disease, also known as angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia and giant lymph node hyperplasia, represents a group of non-neoplastic lymphoproliferative disorders sometimes associated with viral (human herpesvirus 8 and human immunodeficiency virus) infections. This condition has two subtypes, unicentric and multicentric, that dictate prognosis.
Presentation
Castleman disease patients may be asymptomatic, especially if suffering from the unicentric (localized) type. When the disease is not clinically silent, patients complain about the presence of slow growing localized mass that may cause neighboring structures compression, depending on its location and size. The multicentric subtype is characterized by multiple lymphadenopathy. Both forms may be accompanied by systemic manifestations of the disease, consisting of fever, fatigue, abundant nocturnal sweating, inappetence, nausea, vomiting, cough, and dyspnea, as well as hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, peripheral edema, ascites, pleural effusions, and cutaneous signs, such as hemangiomata, rashes, or pemphigus [1] [2]. Symptoms may follow a bimodal pattern, with remissions and relapses. In patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection, Kaposi sarcoma or primary effusion lymphoma may also be noticed [3].
Amyloidosis, a complication of this illness, causes symptoms that sometimes overlap with those of multicentric Castleman disease, making the diagnosis more difficult. Castleman disease treatment improves amyloidosis manifestations, as well. If the treatment is delayed, multicentric Castleman disease associated with human herpesvirus 8 is fatal within two years by multiorgan failure, infections, or immunoblastic lymphoma development [4] [5].
Idiopathic multiple Castleman disease is more frequent in men in their fourth or fifth decade of life [6]. Different ethnic groups have various clinical traits. For example, Asian individuals frequently have interstitial pneumonitis and large violaceous skin lesions [7], while Polynesian individuals usually have a mild form of the disease [8].
Entire Body System
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Fever
A 46-year-old male patient presented with fever for over 5 months. An FDG PET/CT was acquired to evaluate the source of the fever. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Facing a patient with fever, peripheral lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, and the biochemical and immunological picture depicted above, the physician may find it difficult to pinpoint the exact diagnosis. [symptoma.com]
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Anemia
Chronic, iron-refractory, microcytic anemia can be a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Unicentric CD in patients with microcytic anemia is rarely described in the English literature. [dx.doi.org]
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Lymphadenopathy
The remaining 6 referral cases showed morphologic features consistent with reactive lymphadenopathy. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
The multicentric subtype is characterized by multiple lymphadenopathy. [symptoma.com]
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Weight Loss
The disease is characterized by fever, weight loss, anemia, polyclonal hyperglobulinemia, splenomegaly, thrombocytosis and peripheral lymphadenopathy. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
The patient reported an episode of self-limiting haemoptysis one month previously, weight loss that she related with anxiety, occasional retrosternal oppression accompanied by paraesthesia in the left arm and episodes of bronchospasm. [archbronconeumol.org]
Symptoms include: High fever Anemia Weight loss Loss of appetite Low white blood cell counts Castleman’s disease can also be defined as hyaline vascular or plasma cell type. This is based on the appearance of the lymph node tissue. [uamshealth.com]
Other symptoms include unexplained weight loss, fever, fatigue, or a sense of fullness in the chest or abdomen. [disabilitybenefitscenter.org]
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Fatigue
We describe herein the case of an adolescent girl with anemia non-responsive to oral iron, associated with low-grade fever, diminished appetite and fatigue. A palpable mass below the xiphoid was noted. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Both forms may be accompanied by systemic manifestations of the disease, consisting of fever, fatigue, abundant nocturnal sweating, inappetence, nausea, vomiting, cough, and dyspnea, as well as hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, peripheral edema, ascites, pleural [symptoma.com]
In my experience, patients experience debilitating fatigue, oftentimes leading them to be disabled, not able to work, not able to enjoy their activities of daily living and being with their families. [targetedonc.com]
Immune System
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Splenomegaly
In further analysis of the MCD subgroup, a multivariate analysis using a Cox regression model revealed that age, splenomegaly and pretreatment serum albumin level were independent prognostic factors for OS. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Facing a patient with fever, peripheral lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, and the biochemical and immunological picture depicted above, the physician may find it difficult to pinpoint the exact diagnosis. [symptoma.com]
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Generalized Lymphadenopathy
HHV-8–Positive MCD HHV-8–positive MCD presents with generalized lymphadenopathy and constitutional symptoms, and can progress to multi-organ failure leading to death. [hematology.org]
Case Report: We present a case of a 63-year-old woman with multicentric CD who was admitted with weight loss, night sweat, fever, and generalized lymphadenopathy. [karger.com]
Physical examination will mainly demonstrate presence of either localized or generalized lymphadenopathy. [cancertherapyadvisor.com]
In contrast, the multicentric form is found in older adults and is usually associated with the plasma cell variant, a systemic disease with generalized lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, fever, and night sweats; in addition, it is frequently associated [revespcardiol.org]
Multicentric Castleman disease has an exuberant clinical presentation due to the systemic inflammation, with symptoms such as fevers, night sweats, fatigue, and weight loss, and clinical signs of generalized lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and fluid [radiopaedia.org]
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Cervical Lymphadenopathy
In this case report, we discuss the case of a 7-year-old boy with multicentric plasma cell variant of CD, who presented with cervical lymphadenopathies, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, bone marrow insufficiency, pulmonary, renal, hepatic, and gastrointestinal [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
lymphadenopathy Cervical lymphadenopathy (large neck lymph nodes) Diffuse lymphadenopathy Diffuse lymphadenopathy (large lymph nodes) Focal lymphadenopathy Focal lymphadenopathy (large lymph nodes) Generalized enlarged lymph nodes Inguinal lymphadenopathy [icd9data.com]
However, in case 1, subsequent flow cytometric analysis at the time of recurrent cervical lymphadenopathy detected a monoclonal B-cell population with CD10 coexpression. [ajcp.oxfordjournals.org]
Symptoms are usually related to the area of lymph node enlargement which includes, in a classic case, a large mediastinal mass with pulmonary symptoms or palpable cervical lymphadenopathy. [cancertherapyadvisor.com]
Respiratoric
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Cough
CD evolving into intrabronchial, extramedullary plasmacytoma.Intrabronchial mass with consequential obstruction of the left main bronchus, left lung atelectasis and mediastinal lymphadenomegaly was detected by chest CT in our patient suffering from cough [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Both forms may be accompanied by systemic manifestations of the disease, consisting of fever, fatigue, abundant nocturnal sweating, inappetence, nausea, vomiting, cough, and dyspnea, as well as hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, peripheral edema, ascites, pleural [symptoma.com]
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Dyspnea
A 36-year-old woman suffering from oral ulcerations, skin rash, and dyspnea was suspected of having paraneoplastic pemphigus. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Both forms may be accompanied by systemic manifestations of the disease, consisting of fever, fatigue, abundant nocturnal sweating, inappetence, nausea, vomiting, cough, and dyspnea, as well as hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, peripheral edema, ascites, pleural [symptoma.com]
Gastrointestinal
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Nausea
Both forms may be accompanied by systemic manifestations of the disease, consisting of fever, fatigue, abundant nocturnal sweating, inappetence, nausea, vomiting, cough, and dyspnea, as well as hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, peripheral edema, ascites, pleural [symptoma.com]
Some known complementary treatment methods include: Medication to reduce stress Acupuncture to decrease pain Peppermint tea for nausea Some of these methods have been helpful, while the others have not been so effective. [dovemed.com]
Symptoms and signs of MCD include fever, night sweats, loss of appetite, nausea/vomiting, weight loss, cough, shortness of breath, weakness or fatigue from anemia, enlarged lymph nodes (around the neck, collarbone, underarm, and groin area), enlarged [secure.ssa.gov]
Signs and symptoms of Castleman disease occur most often with the multicentric form and can include fever, night sweats, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. [medicinenet.com]
Symptoms and laboratory tests associated with MCD are general but can include the following: fever unexpected tiredness unexpected weight loss night sweats nausea vomiting loss of appetite rash swollen legs less-than-normal levels of red blood cells If [catie.ca]
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Vomiting
Both forms may be accompanied by systemic manifestations of the disease, consisting of fever, fatigue, abundant nocturnal sweating, inappetence, nausea, vomiting, cough, and dyspnea, as well as hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, peripheral edema, ascites, pleural [symptoma.com]
Symptoms and signs of MCD include fever, night sweats, loss of appetite, nausea/vomiting, weight loss, cough, shortness of breath, weakness or fatigue from anemia, enlarged lymph nodes (around the neck, collarbone, underarm, and groin area), enlarged [secure.ssa.gov]
Signs and symptoms of Castleman disease occur most often with the multicentric form and can include fever, night sweats, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. [medicinenet.com]
Symptoms and laboratory tests associated with MCD are general but can include the following: fever unexpected tiredness unexpected weight loss night sweats nausea vomiting loss of appetite rash swollen legs less-than-normal levels of red blood cells If [catie.ca]
Skin rashes, weakness, nausea and vomiting, and a loss of appetite, are common side effects with radiation therapy Corticosteroid drugs: These drugs inhibit the immune system, thus decreasing the abnormal proliferation of lymphocytes. [dovemed.com]
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Loss of Appetite
Symptoms include: High fever Anemia Weight loss Loss of appetite Low white blood cell counts Castleman’s disease can also be defined as hyaline vascular or plasma cell type. This is based on the appearance of the lymph node tissue. [uamshealth.com]
Symptoms and signs of MCD include fever, night sweats, loss of appetite, nausea/vomiting, weight loss, cough, shortness of breath, weakness or fatigue from anemia, enlarged lymph nodes (around the neck, collarbone, underarm, and groin area), enlarged [secure.ssa.gov]
Signs and symptoms of Castleman disease occur most often with the multicentric form and can include fever, night sweats, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. [medicinenet.com]
Symptoms and laboratory tests associated with MCD are general but can include the following: fever unexpected tiredness unexpected weight loss night sweats nausea vomiting loss of appetite rash swollen legs less-than-normal levels of red blood cells If [catie.ca]
Skin rashes, weakness, nausea and vomiting, and a loss of appetite, are common side effects with radiation therapy Corticosteroid drugs: These drugs inhibit the immune system, thus decreasing the abnormal proliferation of lymphocytes. [dovemed.com]
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Abdominal Pain
Discussion Our patient presented with vague abdominal pain secondary to nephrolithiasis. [acgcasereports.gi.org]
It occasionally causes symptoms of compression, such as chest or abdominal pain. Peripheral lymphadenopathies are rare and laboratory tests show abnormalities in only 25% of cases. [archbronconeumol.org]
At admission the patient reported paroxysmal abdominal pain, mostly in the area of the left hypogastrium, similar to intestinal colic, occurring for 4-5 years, and dyspareunia. [termedia.pl]
At the age of 13.5 years, the patient was hospitalized as a consequence of fatigue, diffuse abdominal pain, and elevated biologic inflammatory markers. [mct.aacrjournals.org]
Of the 23 patients, 17 (74%) had isolated lymphadenopathy or mass lesions without symptoms, and the remaining 6 (26%) had symptoms or complaints related to regional compression by the massive enlargement of internal lymph nodes (abdominal pain in a case [ajcp.oxfordjournals.org]
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Abdominal Mass in the Right Lower Quadrant
A 50-year-old woman was found with a hypervascular abdominal mass in the right lower quadrant in contrast-enhanced CT. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Liver, Gall & Pancreas
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Hepatosplenomegaly
Multicentric Castleman disease has an exuberant clinical presentation due to the systemic inflammation, with symptoms such as fevers, night sweats, fatigue, and weight loss, and clinical signs of generalized lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and fluid [radiopaedia.org]
[…] pressure or discomfort causing difficulty with eating or swallowing Presence of a lump in the groin, neck, or armpit Unintentional loss of weight In some cases fever and weakness Easy fatigue Appetite loss or extremely poor appetite Lymph node enlargement Hepatosplenomegaly [epainassist.com]
Plasmacytic or plasmablastic Yes Positive for HHV-8 by QPCR May be positive for HIV Rituximab etoposide Optional valganciclovir maintenance Multicentric HHV-8-Negative (Idiopathic) Generalized hepatosplenomegaly Mostly plasmacytic, but can be hyaline [hematology.org]
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Hepatomegaly
Examination revealed pallor; generalized edema; axillary, cervical, and inguinal lymphadenopathy; hypertension; and hepatomegaly. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Both forms may be accompanied by systemic manifestations of the disease, consisting of fever, fatigue, abundant nocturnal sweating, inappetence, nausea, vomiting, cough, and dyspnea, as well as hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, peripheral edema, ascites, pleural [symptoma.com]
[…] concentric sheets of plasma cells surround germinal centers 1 Histologic characteristics: hyalinization and hypervascularity in germinal centers 1 Associated with an array of systemic symptoms, including 3,4 : Fever, night sweats Anorexia/weight loss Hepatomegaly [castlemansconnect.com]
The main systemic symptoms of the disease are fever, fatigue, splenomegaly, and hepatomegaly, skin rash, and severe growth retardation. [mct.aacrjournals.org]
Skin
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Night Sweats
Herein we present the case of a 49-year-old female with a 3-year history of progressively worsening lymphadenopathy associated with fevers, chills and night sweats. Laboratory studies showed anemia and mildly elevated sedimentation rate. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
The recurrent high fevers, night sweats, sky-high inflammatory markers—like C-reactive protein or erythrocyte sedimentation rate—are attributable to IL-6 overexpression. [targetedonc.com]
sweats, fatigue, weight loss, splenomegaly, anemia and hypergammaglobulinemia Multicentric Castleman disease is multifocal and is associated with systemic symptoms, such as fever, night sweats, fatigue, cachexia, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, cytopenia [pathologyoutlines.com]
Symptoms and signs of MCD include fever, night sweats, loss of appetite, nausea/vomiting, weight loss, cough, shortness of breath, weakness or fatigue from anemia, enlarged lymph nodes (around the neck, collarbone, underarm, and groin area), enlarged [secure.ssa.gov]
sweats Anorexia/weight loss Hepatomegaly/splenomegaly Pericardial/pleural effusions Localized symptoms associated with compression in affected area—systemic symptoms are uncommon 3 CD is not considered a malignant disease; however, affected patients [castlemansconnect.com]
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Xanthelasma
Scholar Curciarello J, Castelleto R, Bardero R, Belloni P, Gelemur M, Castelleto E, Barbero R, Belloni P, Jmelnitzky AC: Hepatic sinusoidal dilatatiion associated to giant lymph node hyperplasia (Castleman's): a new case in a patient with periorbital xanthelasmas [wjso.com]
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Pruritic Rash
Other symptoms included a diffuse pruritic rash later defined as lichen simplex chronicus. Figure 1. CT scan of the abdomen showing a calcified homogeneous mass measuring 3.7 cm between the pancreatic and gastric body (arrow). [acgcasereports.gi.org]
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Xanthoma
Murray-Lyon, Reversible plane xanthoma, vasculitis, and peliosis hepatis in giant lymph node hyperplasia (Castleman's disease): A case report and review of the cutaneous manifestations of giant lymph node hyperplasia, Journal of the American Academy of [dx.doi.org]
Neurologic
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Polyradiculoneuropathy
The cause and pathogenesis of the four subtypes of CD (unicentric CD; human herpesvirus-8-associated multicentric CD; polyradiculoneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal plasma cell disorder, and skin changes [POEMS]-associated multicentric [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Workup
Blood workup in Castleman disease should include a complete blood count which will highlight the presence of hemolytic anemia, most often of a mild or moderate level, and that of thrombocytosis, but thrombocytopenia is also possible. High platelet numbers, together with an increase of acute phase reactants such as the fibrinogen, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein are caused by high circulating levels of interleukin 6 [2] [9]. Vascular endothelial growth factor and other cytokines were also found to be elevated [10]. Other characteristic findings are the presence of hypoalbuminemia and hypergammaglobulinemia. Hepatitis B, human immunodeficiency virus, and human herpesvirus 8 serologies are parts of the workup.
Facing a patient with fever, peripheral lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, and the biochemical and immunological picture depicted above, the physician may find it difficult to pinpoint the exact diagnosis. In this case, a computed tomography guided lymph node biopsy should be performed. The material obtained should be examined from a histopathological point of view, given that the hyaline vascular type usually has a favorable outcome, as opposed to the plasmablastic type. The plasma cell type is likely to have multiple locations, whereas the mixed subtype was seldom described. Genetic studies, as well as fluorescent in situ hybridization, should be performed in order to exclude lymphoma or other clonal disorders.
Imaging studies are used to determine the extent of the disease. A thoracic radiography can show a wide mediastinum or pleural effusions. More detailed information is offered by computed tomography or positron emission tomography studies of the thorax, abdomen, pelvis, and neck [11].
Serum
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Microcytic Anemia
Chronic, iron-refractory, microcytic anemia can be a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Unicentric CD in patients with microcytic anemia is rarely described in the English literature. [dx.doi.org]
anemia For disease progression of multicentric disease, some clinicians follow an IL-6 level and/or a HHV-8 viral load E. [clinicaladvisor.com]
View Article PubMed Google Scholar De Heer-Groen TA, Prakken ABJ, Bax NMA, Van Dijken PJ: Iron therapy resistant microcytic anemia in a 13-year-old girl with Castleman disease. Eur J Pediatr. 1996, 155: 1015-1017. 10.1007/s004310050524. [wjso.com]
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Hyperglobulinemia
The disease is characterized by fever, weight loss, anemia, polyclonal hyperglobulinemia, splenomegaly, thrombocytosis and peripheral lymphadenopathy. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
The most common of these are anemia, fever, diaphoresis, weight loss, night sweating and fatigue. 1,2,9 Patients with M-PCV may have an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, hyperglobulinemia, hypoalbuminemia, polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia, leukocytosis [scielo.br]
View Article PubMed Google Scholar Neerhout RC, Larson W, Mansur P: Mesenteric lymphoid hamartoma associated with hypoferremia, anaemia, growth failure and hyperglobulinemia. N Engl J Med. 1969, 280: 922-925. [wjso.com]
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Bicytopenia
Investigations showed bicytopenia, nephrotic range proteinuria with hypoalbuminemia, hypogammaglobulinemia, and features of hyaline-vascular type Castleman disease in a lymph node biopsy. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Treatment
Patients had symptomatic MCD and were HIV negative and HHV-8 negative.[1] Treatment of MCD tumors and related symptoms is an important treatment goal for these patients. [jnj.com]
Treatment of iMCD is challenging, and outcomes can be poor because no uniform treatment guidelines exist, few systematic studies have been conducted, and no agreed upon response criteria have been described. [doi.org]
We aimed to characterise clinical features of, treatments for, and outcomes of idiopathic multicentric Castleman's disease. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
In 2018, the first treatment guidelines for iMCD were established.World Castleman Disease Day was established in 2018 and is held every year on July 23. [en.wikipedia.org]
Prognosis
Multicentric CD is classically associated with systemic symptoms and poorer prognosis. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Prognosis: For localized Castleman's, the prognosis is actually quite good. However, there may be a recurrence of the condition. For multicentric Castleman's, the prognosis is not so good. [lymphedemapeople.com]
Etiology
Castleman disease is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder of unknown etiology. The localized form, which usually presents as a slow-growing mass, is most commonly located in the mediastinum. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Epidemiology
Improved definitions should improve understanding of the epidemiology of Castleman disease and its subtypes. Copyright 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
[…] and mixed hyaline vascular plasma cell Essential features Polyclonal proliferation of B lymphocytes Unicentric or multicentric types Hyaline vascular or plasma cell morphology types Terminology Angiofollicular hyperplasia Giant lymph node hyperplasia Epidemiology [pathologyoutlines.com]
Epidemiology The epidemiology of CD is difficult to characterize accurately due to its rarity and clinical heterogeneity. [atlasgeneticsoncology.org]
Epidemiology Castleman disease is rare. [emedicine.medscape.com]
Pathophysiology
The purpose of this article is to review the clinical, immunologic, and pathologic findings associated with both unicentric Castleman disease and MCD and discuss how the imaging findings correlate with the pathophysiology of the disease. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Pathophysiology The pathophysiology of Castleman disease (CD) varies between subtypes. Unicentric CD (UCD) pathophysiology is poorly understood. [emedicine.medscape.com]
Evidence that the pathophysiology of CD is fueled by excessive interleukin-6 (IL-6) has led to considerable interest in therapeutic targeting of this cytokine. [dovepress.com]
Prevention
Right hemihepatectomy and hilar lymph node dissection was performed and preventative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization therapy was given after the surgery. The case had multiple systemic metastasis due to tumor progression. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
To prevent the need for a disability appeal, you should consider retaining the services of a qualified Social Security Disability attorney or advocate. [disabilitybenefitscenter.org]
References
- Oksenhendler E, Duarte M, Soulier J, et al. Multicentric Castleman's disease in HIV infection: a clinical and pathological study of 20 patients. AIDS. 1996;10(1):61–67.
- van Rhee F, Fayad L, Voorhees P, et al. Siltuximab, a novel anti-interleukin-6 monoclonal antibody, for Castleman’s disease. J Clin Oncol. 2010;28: 3701–3708.
- Chadburn A, Hyjek EM, Tam W, et al. Immunophenotypic analysis of the Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV; HHV-8)-infected B cells in HIV+ multicentric Castleman disease (MCD). Histopathology. 2008;53(5):513–524.
- Dispenzieri A, Armitage JO, Loe MJ, et al. The clinical spectrum of Castleman’s disease. Am J Hematol. 2012;87(11):997-1002.
- Mylona EE, Baraboutis IG, Lekakis LJ, et al. Multicentric Castleman's disease in HIV infection: a systematic review of the literature. AIDS Rev. 2008;10(1):25–35.
- Nishimoto N, Kanakura Y, Aozasa K, et al. Humanized anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody treatment of multicentric Castleman disease. Blood 2005;106(8):2627-2632.
- Ahmed B, Tschen JA, Cohen PR, et al. Cutaneous Castleman’s disease responds to anti interleukin-6 treatment. Mol Cancer Ther 2007;6(9):2386-2390.
- Zhai S. Polynesian variant of idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease [abstract]. Blood. 2013;122(21). Abstract 5127.
- Kishimoto T. IL-6: from its discovery to clinical applications. Intern Immunol. 2010;22:347–352
- Nakahara H, Song J, Sugimoto M, et al. Anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody therapy reduces vascular endothelial growth factor production in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthr Rheumat. 2003; 48:1521–1529.
- Barker R, Kazmi F, Stebbing J, et al. FDG-PET/CT imaging in the management of HIV-associated multicentric Castleman's disease. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2009;36(4):648-652.