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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffCastleman disease is a rare illness that affects your lymph nodes and other immune-cell structures of your body.
Also known as giant lymph node hyperplasia and angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia, Castleman disease is classified as a lymphoproliferative disorder. That means it involves a proliferation, or overgrowth, of lymphatic cells. This makes Castleman disease similar to cancers of the lymphatic system (lymphomas), which also are characterized by cell overgrowth. Castleman disease isn't considered a cancer, however.
Castleman disease can occur in a localized or a more widespread form. Treatment and outlook depend on which type of Castleman disease you have.
- Castleman disease (Formerly Castleman's disease). American Cancer Society. http://documents.cancer.org/6636.00/6636.00.pdf. Accessed July 17, 2009.
- Aster JC, et al. Castleman's disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 10, 2009.
- What is Castlemans disease. International Castleman's Disease Organization. http://www.castlemans.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=19&Itemid=27. Accessed July 17, 2009.
- Dham A, et al. Castleman disease. Current Opinion in Hematology. 2007;14:359.
- Pica F, et al. Transmission of human herpesvirus 8: An update. Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases. 2007;20:152.
- Dispenzieri A, et al. Treatment of Castleman's Disease, Current Treatment Options in Oncology. 2005;6:255.
