What is Castleman’s disease?

  Castleman’s disease, also known as vascular follicular lymphoid hyperplasia or giant lymph node hyperplasia, is a chronic lymphoid proliferative disease characterized by enlarged lymph nodes. It was first reported by Castleman et al. The cause of the disease may be related to viral infection, vascular proliferation, and abnormal cytokine regulation. It is clinically classified into 2 types: local Castleman’s disease (LCD) and multiple Castleman’s disease (MCD). According to the pathological characteristics, there are 3 types: hyaline vascular type (HV), plasma cell type (PC) and mixed type. MCD is more common in the elderly, and the pathology is mainly PC or mixed type. It is mainly of PC type or mixed type, with multiple lymph node enlargement and multisystem involvement, and may be combined with peripheral neuropathy. Laboratory tests may include hyperimmunoglobulinemia and hypoalbuminemia, thrombocytopenia, and abnormal liver function.