Castleman's disease and primary effusion lymphoma in a HIV-positive patient.

[primary effusion lymphoma]

We present a case of primary effusion lymphoma (PEL ) occurring simultaneously with Castleman 's disease in the same patient . Castleman 's disease is distinct from PEL , although both are associated with HHV-8 . Other cases have debated whether the coexistence of PEL and Castleman 's disease is a recurrence of an original PEL tumour in an extracavitary site , or a secondary HHV-8 -associated lymphoma distinct from primary PEL . Our case , along with those described previously , show that co -occurrence of PEL and Castleman 's disease is possible and plausible . PEL needs to be included in the differential diagnosis in any HIV-positive patient who presents with a pleural effusion , and diagnosis requires only a simple thoracentesis and appropriate immunohistochemistry .