Castleman Disease Explained

Ruth-Anne Langan Pai, PhD Candidate and the collaborative research project lead for the Castleman Disease Collaborative Network (CDCN) provides an overview of Castleman disease. Castleman disease is a group of rare disorders characterized by lymph node enlargement, specific microscopic changes to the lymph nodes, and a range of symptoms and laboratory findings. There are 3 types of Castleman disease: (1) unicentric Castleman disease, (2) HHV-8 positive multicentric Castleman disease, and (3) idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease. Symptoms vary with each person but may include the following: • Flu-like symptoms • Unintended weight loss • Weakness and fatigue • Enlarged liver or spleen • Peripheral neuropathy • Cherry hemangiomas skin rash • Edema, ascites and/or other symptoms of fluid overload • Kidney dysfunction To learn more about this and other rare hematologic conditions, visit checkrare.com/diseases/blood-diseases/ To learn more about CDCN, visit cdcn.org/