Retroperitoneal giant lymph node hyperplasia. A case report and review of the literature.

Giant lymph node hyperplasia (GLNH) is a rare tumor. The authors have reviewed the literature and brought the reported total to 235 cases. There are two types of GLNH, a hyaline-vascular and plasma-cell type. The usual presentation is as an asymptomatic solitary mass, though multicentric lesions are found. Symptoms are most frequent with the plasma-cell type. A syndrome of anemia, growth retardation, and hypergammaglobulinemia is seen in the plasma-cell type in children. The etiology is unknown, though immunologic studies indicate a reactive phenomenon. Radiologic studies are nonspecific. Therapy is surgical excision, which is usually curative.