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"Resources" on this report.
Copyright 1988, 1989, 1996, 2003, 2004
NORD is grateful to Corey Casper, MD, MPH, of the University of Washington Virology Research Clinic, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, for assistance in the preparation of this report.
Synonyms of Castleman's Disease
- Angiofollicular Lymph Node Hyperplasia
- Angiomatous Lymphoid
- Castleman Tumor
- Giant Benign Lymphoma
- Giant Lymph Node Hyperplasia
- Hamartoma of the Lymphatics
Disorder Subdivisions
General Discussion
Castleman's disease is a rare disorder characterized by non-cancerous (benign) growths (tumors) that may develop in the lymph node tissue throughout the body (i.e., systemic disease [plasma cell type]). Most often, they occur in the chest, stomach, and/or neck (i.e., localized disease [hyaline-vascular type]). Less common sites include the armpit (axilla), pelvis, and pancreas. Usually the growths represent abnormal enlargement of the lymph nodes normally found in these areas (lymphoid hamartoma). There are two main types of Castleman's disease: hyaline-vascular type and plasma cell type. The hyaline vascular type accounts for approximately 90 percent of the cases. Most individuals exhibit no symptoms of this form of the disorder (asymptomatic) or they may develop non-cancerous growths in the lymph nodes. The plasma cell type of Castleman's disease may be associated with fever, weight loss, skin rash, early destruction of red blood cells, leading to unusually low levels of circulating red blood cells (hemolytic anemia), and/or abnormally increased amounts of certain immune factors in the blood (hypergammaglobulinemia).
A third type of Castleman's disease has been reported in the medical literature. This type may affect more than one area of the body (multicentric or generalized Castleman's disease). Many individuals with Multicentric Castleman's disease may exhibit an abnormally large liver and spleen (hepatosplenomegaly). Researchers' opinions in the medical literature differ as to whether Multicentric Castleman's disease is a distinct entity or a multicentric form of the plasma cell type of Castleman's disease.
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Organizations related to Castleman's Disease
- American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc.
22100 Gratiot Avenue
Eastpointe MI 48021
Phone #: 586-776-3900
800 #: 800-598-4668
e-mail: aarda@aarda.org
Home page: http://www.aarda.org/
- American Cancer Society, Inc.
1599 Clifton Road NE
Atlanta GA 30329
Phone #: 404-320-3333
800 #: 800-227-2345
e-mail: N/A
Home page: http://www.cancer.org
- AutoImmunity Community
None
None None None
Phone #: (91-9) -552-9057
800 #: N/A
e-mail: bandrews@autoimmunitycommunity.org
Home page: http://autoimmunitycommunity.org
- Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
PO Box 8126
Gaithersburg MD 20898-8126
Phone #: 301-251-4925
800 #: 888-205-2311
e-mail: ordr@od.nih.gov
Home page: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/Default.aspx
- International Castleman's Disease Organization
4 Brazos Court
Santa Fe NM 87508
Phone #: 505-424-7947
800 #: N/A
e-mail: HMConsult@msn.com
Home page: http://www.castlemans.org
- Madisons Foundation
PO Box 241956
Los Angeles CA 90024
Phone #: 310-264-0826
800 #: N/A
e-mail: getinfo@madisonsfoundation.org
Home page: http://www.madisonsfoundation.org
- NIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Information Center
P.O. Box 30105
Bethesda MD 20824-0105
Phone #: 301-592-8573
800 #: --
e-mail: nhlbiinfo@rover.nhlbi.nih.gov
Home page: N/A
- Rare Cancer Alliance
1649 North Pacana Way
Green Valley AZ 85614
Phone #: 520-625-5495
800 #: --
e-mail: sharon.lane@rare-cancer.org
Home page: http://www.rare-cancer.org
- UCSF Hemophilia Treatment Center
400 Parnassus Ave.
First Floor
San Francisco CA 94143
Phone #: 415-353-2986
800 #: N/A
e-mail: N/A
Home page: http://www.ucsfhealth.org/adult/medical_services/blood/hemophilia/index.html
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