Idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease

Castleman disease [CD] is a lymphoproliferative disease which has characteristic lymph node histopathology. It is classified into two subtypes as unicentric CD and multicentric CD depending on the number of lymph node regions involved. Here we report a case of an elderly malepresenting with bilateral lower limb swelling, generalized lymphadenopathy and hepatomegaly. Left side cervical lymph node biospy was consistent with plasma cell type of Castleman disease. He was diagnosed as having‘not otherwise specified’ idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease. He was promptly treated with chemotherapy and steroids which led to improvement of symptoms. Accurate histological diagnosis is important since CD can clinically mimic lymphoma, which has a different prognosis. Early diagnosis and treatment is mandatory in order to reduce morbidity and mortality.