[Castleman's disease]

Abstract

Castleman's disease, also called angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia was first described as a distinct entity by Castleman et al in 1956. Two forms are now described a localized and a multicentric. The clinical and biological signs are varied and heterogeneous, and the diagnostic is made on the histologic examination. This atypical lymphoproliferative disorder is of unknown origin, but interleukin 6 play a central part in this disease. Despite the benignity of this "prelymphoma state", an aggressive course with poor prognosis occur usually in the multicentric form. Malignant lymphomas and Kaposi's sarcoma have been associated with Castleman's disease.