IL-6-positive classical Hodgkin's lymphoma co-occurring with plasma cell type of Castleman's disease: report of a case

Int J Hematol. 2013 Feb;97(2):275-9. doi: 10.1007/s12185-013-1262-7. Epub 2013 Jan 29.

Abstract

We present a case of classical Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) co-occurring with histological features of Castleman's disease (CD). A 25-year-old man presented with left supraclavicular and axillary lymph node swelling and mediastinal mass. Using an initial biopsy specimen from left axillary lymph node, a tentative diagnosis of multicentric CD of plasma cell type was made. The serum level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) was elevated. The patient was treated with immunosuppressive therapy containing tocilizumab (TCZ). Shrinkage of mediastinal mass and axillary lymph nodes was seen; however, swelling of his left axillary lymph nodes reemerged, even after therapy with TCZ. A second left axillary lymph node biopsy was performed and a diagnosis of nodular sclerosis of classical HL without histologic features of CD was made. The initial biopsy specimen was re-examined, and scattered CD30+ Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg cells were found in the interfollicular area. Interestingly, Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg cells and surrounding reactive cells in both lymph nodes were stained with anti-IL-6 antibody. We emphasize that biopsy specimens with HL involvement may also have histologic features reminiscent of those seen in CD. To our knowledge, this is the first report to provide a detailed description of this pathology, including a survey of IL-6 and clinical course upon treatment with TCZ.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Biopsy
  • Castleman Disease / complications*
  • Castleman Disease / diagnosis
  • Castleman Disease / drug therapy
  • Castleman Disease / metabolism*
  • Hodgkin Disease / complications*
  • Hodgkin Disease / diagnosis
  • Hodgkin Disease / drug therapy
  • Hodgkin Disease / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / blood
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism*
  • Lymph Nodes / metabolism
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Male
  • Plasma Cells / pathology*

Substances

  • Interleukin-6