Localized Castleman's disease - diagnostics and operative treatment

Castleman's disease is a rare cause for a retroperitoneal mass. The disorde r can be classified into two histopathological groups: the hyalin-vascular and plasma-cell types. The former type, particularly in its localized form, is often asymptomatic and benign, the surgical therapy may cure the patien t. The latter type is frequently associated with systemic manifestations an d an uncertain prognosis. We present a case in which the diagnosis of local ized Castleman's disease proved to be extremely difficult. In these cases. the correct diagnosis. however, is indispensable, as these patients can be cured by radical surgical tumor excision.