Castleman Disease - Medtick

Castleman Disease

What is it?

A rare disorder that involves an overgrowth of cells in your body’s lymph nodes.

There are many forms:

Unicentric Castleman disease

  • The most common form of the disorder affects a single lymph nodes and is not widespread usually in the chest or abdomen.

Multicentric Castleman disease

  • This affects more than one group of lymph nodes and also affects other organs that that have lymphoid tissue including:
    • Lymph nodes: bean-sized collections of lymphocytes found in small groups throughout the body, including inside the chest, abdomen, and pelvis. They can sometimes be felt under the skin in the neck, under the arms, and in the groin.
    • Thymus: a small organ behind the upper part of the breastbone and in front of the heart.
    • Spleen: an organ under the lower part of the rib cage on the left side of the body.
    • Tonsils and adenoids: collections of lymphoid tissue at the back of the throat.
    • Bone marrow: the soft inner part of certain bones
    • Digestive tract: the stomach and intestines
    • Liver
  • It is also referred as Giant lymph node hyperplasiaand angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia (AFH)
It is not cancer

Cause

  • Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8)
  • H.I.V
  • Kaposi’s sarcoma (cancerous tumor that can be a complication of HIV/AIDS)
  • Body often makes too much of a protein called interleukin-6 (IL-6) ( IL-6 normally helps regulate immune function).

Symptoms

  • Enlarged lymph node on the side of your neck or in your underarm (armpit) and/or collarbone and/ or groin area?
  • Unknown lumps and swellings?
  • Rash?
  • Chest pain and/or tight chest?
  • Short of breath and/or breathing difficulties?
  • Feeling discomfort, fullness, or pain on the upper left side of the abdomen; this pain may spread to your left shoulder?
  • High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills and sweats longer than 72 hours?
  • General discomfort (muscle weakness), uneasiness or ill feeling (malaise) and/or fatigue (tiredness)?
  • Unexplained weight loss?
  • Night sweats?
  • Sickness or nausea feeling?
  • Pain, numbness, burning and tingling ( pins and needles) sensation in one’s hands and fingers (thumb and/or index finger and/or middle finger and/or ring finger and/or small finger)?
  • Cold hands and feet which can be numb and painful?
  • Numbness foot area?
  • Enlarged liver?
  • Enlarged spleen?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

This condition can lead to:


H.I.V Test

  • A H.I.V test should be offered if one has this condition.

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Castleman Disease in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

  • NHS

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  • Drugs.com

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  • National Organisation of Rare Diseases

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  • Verywell Health

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