We do not know the exact cause
of UCD

However, many doctors and scientists
believe it is caused by changes in the
immune system.1

Many patients with UCD can be cured

If successfully treated, UCD does not significantly influence life-expectancy. Over 90% of patients are alive 5 years after diagnosis.1

What are the

signs and symptoms

of UCD?

If you have UCD, you may not notice any symptoms. However, if symptoms do occur, they usually depend on where in your body the affected lymph nodes are. As the lymph nodes get larger, they can press on other parts of the body and cause symptoms.2

Common

symptoms

include2:

icon-fullness

A feeling of pressure or fullness in the chest or stomach

icon-difficult-to-breath

Finding it difficult to eat or breathe

Less common

symptoms

include2:

icon-fever

Fever, excessive sweating

icon-weight-loss-dark

Weight loss despite no changes in diet or exercise

icon-feeling-weak

Feeling weak
(loss of strength)

icon-feeling-sick

Feeling sick

icon-skinrash-dark

Skin Rash

Talk to your doctor if you have any of these symptoms, especially if you have experienced them for several days. If you have difficulty breathing, see a doctor as soon as possible.

REFERENCES

References

  1. Zhang X, et al. Clinical characteristics and outcomes of Castleman disease: A multicenter study of 185 Chinese patients. Cancer Sci. 2018; 109(1): 199–206. https://doi.org/10.1111/cas.13439
  2. National Organization for Rare Disorders: https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/castlemans-disease/ (Date Accessed May 2025)
  3. Castleman Disease. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. https://uamshealth.com/condition/castleman-disease/ University (Date Accessed May 2025)

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