Interleukin-6-producing giant cell carcinoma of the lung with multicentric Castleman's disease-like presentation

Intern Med. 2007;46(10):669-73. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.46.6003. Epub 2007 May 24.

Abstract

We encountered a 59-year-old man with advanced lung cancer with multiple swollen lymph nodes. At autopsy the lung cancer was revealed as giant cell carcinoma. Microscopic examination showed no cancer cells, but there was polyclonal proliferation of plasma cells in the lymph nodes and in the bone marrow. In the kidneys, proliferation of mesangial matrices and mesangial cells was found. This presentation resembled multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD), in which interleukin-6 (IL-6) has a great role. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for IL-6 in cancer cells. This is the first reported case of an IL-6-producing giant cell carcinoma of the lung with MCD-like presentation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Autopsy
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Carcinoma, Giant Cell / diagnosis*
  • Carcinoma, Giant Cell / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Giant Cell / pathology*
  • Castleman Disease / diagnosis*
  • Castleman Disease / pathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism*
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Plasma Cells / metabolism
  • Plasma Cells / pathology

Substances

  • Interleukin-6