The Mast Cell Activation Syndrome: A Mini Review

Abstract

For decades the only recognized disease states associated with mast cells were urticaria pigmentosa and systemic mastocytosis. Since about 1991, publications regarding variations of disease states associated with mast cells have appeared in the medical literature. These disorders present with signs and symptoms involving the dermis, gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system and sometimes neurological complaints. The spectrum of mast cell diseases has thus expanded from what was a limited but well defined disease state (systemic mastocytosis) to subtler presentations, such as the mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS). This review will present a brief history of the mast cell and its subsequent association with multiple clinical disease states, as well as the criteria needed to delineate and classify these disease states into categories.