Cutaneous manifestations of Castleman disease

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Hematology
• Oncology

Background:

• Castleman disease (CD) is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by lymphoid hyperplasia and vascular proliferation.
• Common CD symptoms include fever, night sweats, and weight loss, but cutaneous manifestations are often underrecognized.
• Limited literature exists on the skin findings associated with Castleman disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize the literature on cutaneous manifestations of Castleman disease.
• To highlight the importance of recognizing skin findings for prompt CD diagnosis.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases (PubMed, ProQuest, Scopus, etc.).
• Inclusion criteria focused on adult patients (over 18 years) diagnosed with CD and presenting with skin manifestations.
• 68 relevant articles were identified and analyzed.

Main Results:

• The most frequent skin manifestations of CD include paraneoplastic pemphigus and erythematous-brown plaques, papules, or nodules.
• Patients with these cutaneous findings require thorough physical examinations, including palpation for lymphadenopathy.
• A comprehensive diagnostic workup is essential to exclude other neoplastic processes.

Conclusions:

• Increased awareness of CD's skin manifestations can improve diagnostic timeliness.
• Recognizing cutaneous signs may prompt reconsideration of diagnostic pathways for Castleman disease.
• Early identification of skin findings is crucial for effective patient management.