Castleman's disease

Castleman's disease is understood as a hypertrophy of the lymph nodes with an angiofollicular lymphatic hyperplasia. Lymph nodes of the abdomen and mediastinum are most commonly affected. There are two types of Castleman's disease.

In the localized form, only one lymph node is affected. The exact cause is still controversial. It is believed that malignant cells are responsible for the overproduction of IL-6.

Most of the patients of this form have no complaints. However, it can lead to symptoms such as listlessness, fever and chest or abdominal pain. In the multicentric form several lymph nodes are affected. HIV is considered a risk factor, as HIV patients are also often infected with HHV8. HHV8 produces an IL-6-like substance.

Patients are accompanied by the following symptoms: weight loss, nausea, hepato- and / or splenomegaly, hypoalbuminemia, thrombocytopenia, and POEMS syndrome.