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$Unique_ID{BRK03572}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Castleman's Disease}
$Subject{Castleman's Disease Angiofollicular Lymph Node Hyperplasia Giant
Benign Lymphoma Hamartoma Castleman Tumor Angiomatous Lymphoid Hodgkins
Disease Malignant Lymphoma}
$Volume{}
$Log{}
Copyright (C) 1988, 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
532:
Castleman's Disease
** IMPORTANT **
It is possible that the main title of the article (Castleman's Disease)
is not the title you expected. Please check the synonym list to find the
alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.
Synonyms
Angiofollicular Lymph Node Hyperplasia
Giant Benign Lymphoma
Hamartoma
Castleman Tumor
Angiomatous Lymphoid
Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related
Disorders section of this report:
Hodgkins Disease
Malignant Lymphoma
General Discussion
** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.
Castleman's Disease is a rare disorder of the lymphatic system. This
disease is characterized by benign (non-cancerous) growths in lymph node
tissue.
Symptoms
Castleman's disease is characterized as a single, solid, contained growth
with surrounding normal nodes usually located in the chest, stomach, neck or
base of the head. It may also be found in other lymphatic tissue throughout
the body. Occasionally, the veins are involved, causing a growth in the
blood vessels themselves. These growths may mimic an aneurysm or bulge in an
artery. Major symptoms may include development of a tumor, respiratory tract
infections, coughing, lethargy, pressure or pain in the back and chest,
difficulty in breathing, coughing up blood and fever.
Causes
The exact cause of Castleman's Disease is not known. It is thought to be an
autoimmune disorder. Autoimmune disorders are caused when the body's natural
defenses (antibodies) against invading organisms begin to attack perfectly
healthy tissue. Some cases may be linked to abnormal reactions by the immune
system (serum antibodies) to a thyroid protein (thyroglobulin), organ wall
(parietal) cells, or adrenal cells.
Affected Population
Castleman's Disease is a rare disorder which affects males and females of all
ages in equal numbers.
Related Disorders
Symptoms of the following disorders can be similar to those of Castleman's
Disease. Comparisons may be useful for a differential diagnosis:
Hodgkin's Disease is characterized by a chronic enlargement of the lymph
nodes caused by malignancy. Symptoms may include anemia and remittent or
continuous fever, drenching night sweats and weight loss.
Malignant Lymphoma is characterized by circumscribed solid tumors
composed of cells that appear most frequently in lymph nodes, spleen or other
lymphatic sites. Symptoms can mimic leukemia and Hodgkin's disease.
Therapies: Standard
Treatment of Castleman's Disease usually involves surgical removal of the
tumor.
Therapies: Investigational
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
October 1989. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep
every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate.
Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most
current information about this disorder.
Resources
For more information on Castleman's Disease, please contact:
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 8923
New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
(203) 746-6518
American Cancer Society
1599 Clifton Rd., NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
(404) 320-3333
NIH/National Cancer Institute
9000 Rockville Pike, Bldg. 31, Rm. 1A2A
Bethesda, MD 20892
1-800-4-CANCER
The National Cancer Institute has developed PDQ (Physician Data Query), a
computerized database designed to give doctors quick and easy access to many
types of information vital to treating patients with this and many other
types of cancer. To gain access to this service, a doctor can contact the
Cancer Information Service offices at 1-800-4-CANCER. Information
specialists at this toll-free number can answer questions about cancer
prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
References
CASTLEMAN'S DISEASE: AN UNUSUAL RETROPERITONEAL MASS: D.P. Bartkowski, et
al.; J Urol (January 1988, issue: 139 (1)). Pp. 118-120.
COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY OF CASTLEMAN'S DISEASE SIMULATING A FALSE RENAL
ARTERY ANEURYSM: A CASE REPORT: L. Friedman, et al.; J Urol (July, 1987,
issue: 138 (1)). Pp. 123-124.
CASTLEMAN'S DISEASE IN CHILDREN: R. W. Powell, et al.; J Pediatr Surg
(August 1986, issue: 21 (8)). Pp. 678-682.
INTERNAL MEDICINE, 2nd Ed.: Jay H. Stein, ed.-in-chief; Little, Brown
and Co., 1987. Pp. 1110, 1094-1099.