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Castleman disease was named after Benjamin Castleman, U.S. pathologist. It is described as a rare disorder characterized by non-cancerous (benign growth tumors) that may develop in the lymph node tissue throughout the body. Often occurring in the chest, stomach, and/or neck. Less often occurrence sites include the armpit, pancreas and pelvis.

There are 3 varieties of Castleman disease as follows:

Hayaline Vascular Castleman disease accounts for approximately 90% of the cases. The majority exhibit no symptoms of this form of the disorder (asymptomatic) or they may develop benign growths in the lymph nodes.

Plasma Cell Castleman disease affected patients may be associated with fever, weight loss, skin rash, early destruction of red blood cells, and/or increased amounts of certain immune factors in the blood (hypergammaglobulinemia).

Multicentric Castleman disease (multicentric or generalized Castleman's disease) - This type may affect more than one part of the body. Individuals may display an enlarged liver or spleen (hepatosplenomegaly). Opinions differ from researcher to researcher in various medical manuscripts as to whether Multicentric Castleman is a distinct entity or a multicentric form of the plasma cell type of Castleman disease.