Backgrounds: Castleman disease is a rare nonclonal lymphoproliferative disorder with 2 clinical (unicentric and multicentric) and 4 histomorphologic (hyaline-vascular, plasma-cell, mixed and plasmablastic) types. Typically, multicentric plasma-cell Castleman disease is an aggressive, relapsing disorder with generalized lymphadenopathy and systemic symptoms. Due to absence of randomised comparison studies, treatment recommendations for this disease form are not united and mostly, the practicing physicians take guidance
from retrospective reports of single cases and small groups of patients.
Aim: This paper summarizes the available treatment modalities for multicentric Castleman disease and based on an analysis of literature sources it provides current recommendations for treating the disease.
Conclusions: The pillars for treating multicentric Castleman disease should comprise preparates from the groups of monoclonal antibodies (tocilizumab, rituximab) and immunomodulatory drugs (thalidomide, lenalidomide). Positive aspects of thalidomide include favourable financial calculation, the possiblity of long-term administration with lasting therapy effects and reported efficacy in rituximab-resistant cases.