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ICDO
International
Castlemans
Disease
Organization

Annals of Hematology

Abstract Volume 78 Issue 4 (1999) pp 193-196

case report: Splenectomy induced complete remission in a patient with multicentric Castleman's disease and autoimmune hemolytic anemia

R. Lerza (1), G. Castello (1), M. Truini (2), P. Ballarino (1), S. Tredici (1), D. Cavallini (1), I. Pannacciulli (1)

(1) Cattedra di Clinica Medica R., Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, Università di Genova, Italy
(2) Servizio di Anatomia, Istologia e Citologia Patologica, Ospedale S. Martino, Genoa, Italy

Received: April 6, 1998 / Accepted: November 26, 1998

Abstract Castleman's disease (CD) is a rare disorder of the lymphoid tissue in which the clinical manifestations often mimic a malignant lymphoma. Despite the absence of monoclonality of the lymphoid proliferation, the multicentric variant of the disease (MCD) is characterized by severe symptoms and poor prognosis. Etiologic, pathogenetic, and therapeutic aspects of MCD are still uncertain. We report the case of a 57-year-old patient affected by MCD complicated by severe immunohemolytic anemia. Whereas the clinical and laboratory response to steroids and chemotherapeutic agents was only partial, splenectomy induced a complete remission of hemolysis and disappearance of the constitutional symptoms and of all generalized lymphadenopathies.

Key words Castleman's disease · Splenectomy · Immunohemolytic anemia

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* CASTLEMAN's DISEASE HOMEPAGE is intended as a reference for health care professionals. The authors and editors have used sources believed to be reliable in their efforts to provide information that is complete and generally in accord with the standards accepted at the time of publication.

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