Castleman disease is a rare condition that affects the lymph nodes and related tissues. The condition can lead to lymph node enlargement, flu-like symptoms (e.g., fatigue, night sweats, nausea, weight loss), and dysfunction of vital organs, including the liver, kidneys, and bone marrow (e.g., fluid gain, confusion, bruising, bleeding).
There are two types of Castleman disease. Each one is classified on the number of lymph node regions that are affected.
- Unicentric Castleman disease or UCD can occur in a single region of enlarged lymph nodes.
- Multicentric Castleman disease or MCD can occur in multiple regions of enlarged nodes. MCD, should be further subdivided based on the presence of Human Herpes Virus-8 (HHV-8) into HHV-8-associated MCD and HHV-8-negative or idiopathic MCD (iMCD).
Facts about Castleman Disease
- It affects approximately 6,000-7,000 patients of all ages each year in the U.S.
- MCD has a five-year survival rate of 65%, which is the same as the average for all cancers combined and worse than lymphoma.
- Patients with idiopathic MCD have a three-fold increased prevalence of cancer.
- CD can range from enlargement of a single lymph node with flu-like symptoms to multiple enlarged lymph nodes with failure of every vital organ (liver, kidneys, bone marrow).
More information about Castleman disease
Unraveling Castleman Disease
Gain an understanding of Castleman disease and how new trials and research may benefit patients in this CureTalks interview with David Fajgenbaum, MD, MBA, MSc, who himself was diagnosed with the rare disorder nine years ago and founded Penn’s Castleman Disease Program.