Castleman's Disease

Castleman's Disease

Castleman's disease (giant or angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia, lymphoid hamartoma, angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia) is an uncommon lymphoproliferative disorder that can involve single lymph node stations or can be systemic. It must be distinguished from reactive lymph node hyperplasia and malignancies. It is a very rare disorder characterized by non-cancerous growths (tumors) that may develop in the lymph node tissue at a single site or throughout the body. It involves hyperproliferation of certain B cells that often produce cytokines. While not officially considered a cancer, the overgrowth of lymphocytes with this disease is similar to lymphoma.

It is named after Benjamin Castleman.