Castleman's disease and primary effusion lymphoma in a HIV-positive patient. (May 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Scott, Michael J; Chihada Alhariri, Bashar; Farghaly, Hanan; Perez, Rafael; Arnold, Forest W
• Is Part Of: International journal of STD & AIDS. Volume 25:Number 6(2014:Jun.)
• Page Start: 455
• Page End: 457
• Publication Date: 2014-05
• Subjects: HIV -- AIDS -- diagnosis -- treatment -- primary effusion lymphoma -- Castleman's disease -- human herpesvirus-8 -- HHV-8 -- immunohistochemistry; Sexually transmitted diseases -- Periodicals; AIDS (Disease) -- Periodicals; 616.951
• DOI: 10.1177/0956462413512805
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0956-4624

Abstract

We present a case of primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) occurring simultaneously with Castleman's disease in the same patient. Castleman's disease is distinct from PEL, although both are associated with HHV-8. Other cases have debated whether the coexistence of PEL and Castleman's disease is a recurrence of an original PEL tumour in an extracavitary site, or a secondary HHV-8-associated lymphoma distinct from primary PEL. Our case, along with those described previously, show that co-occurrence of PEL and Castleman's disease is possible and plausible. PEL needs to be included in the differential diagnosis in any HIV-positive patient who presents with a pleural effusion, and diagnosis requires only a simple thoracentesis and appropriate immunohistochemistry.