What is Castlemans Disease?
Castleman disease (CD) is a disease of lymph nodes and related tissues. It was first described by Dr. Benjamin Castleman in Boston in 1956. It was previously called Castleman's disease. CD is also known as giant lymph node hyperplasia and angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia.
Although CD is not officially a cancer, the multicentric form of this disease acts very much like lymphoma (cancer of lymph nodes). In fact, many people with this disease eventually develop lymphomas. This is why it is included in the American Cancer Society's cancer information database. (For information about lymphoma, see the American Cancer Society documents, Hodgkin Disease and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.) Instead of being called a cancer, CD is often called a lymphoproliferative disorder -- meaning there is an abnormal overgrowth of lymph nodes -- similar in many ways to lymphomas. Like lymphoma, CD is frequently treated with chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
What is Paraneoplastic Pemphigus?
The pemphigus family are rare autoimmune blistering diseases affecting skin and/or mucous membranes. Paraneoplastic conditions occur in association with malignancies (cancer). Paraneoplastic pemphigus is characterised by painful blisters and denuded areas of the mouth, lips, oesophagus and skin. It is the least common but most serious form of pemphigus, particularly considering the presence of the underlying cancer.
An autoimmune disorder is a disease in which an individual's immune system starts reacting against his or her own tissue.
In Paraneoplastic Pemphigus the building block cells of the epidermis are called keratinocytes. These cells are cemented together at special sticky spots called desmosomes. In paraneoplastic pemphigus and other types of pemphigus there are autoantibodies to a component of the desmosomes. These cause the keratinocytes to separate from each other. The gap fills with fluid, causing a blister or the skin may peel off leaving raw areas.
What is Bronchiolitis Obliterations?
also called obliterative bronchiolitis and constrictive bronchiolitis is a rare and life-threatening form of non-reversible obstructive lung disease in which the bronchioles (small airway branches) are plugged with granulation tissue.
