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Living with Localized Castleman disease

A condition in which one group of lymph nodes becomes enlarged, sometimes pressing on nearby organs.

Understanding Localized Castleman disease

Localized (unicentric) Castleman disease is a condition that affects the lymph nodes and related tissues, limited to a single set of lymph nodes.

It often starts as an enlarged lymph node. Some people have no other features, while others have symptoms when the node pushes on nearby organs or tissues. It is different from multicentric Castleman disease, which is more widespread. It can occur at any time in life.

Signs & symptoms

GARD doesn't list a separate symptom list. Its summary describes these features:

  • Enlarged lymph node
  • Symptoms from pressure on nearby organs or tissues
  • No symptoms in some people

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include blood and bone marrow specialists and cancer specialists.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

  4. Connect with expert centers

    Autoimmune Association and Castleman Disease Collaborative Network may keep lists of experts for this condition.

Care & treatment

Care team
Blood and bone marrow specialists (hematologists); Cancer specialists (oncologists)
Expert care
Expert lists: Autoimmune Association, Castleman Disease Collaborative Network
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with Autoimmune Association and other patient organizations
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
Where is my enlarged lymph node, and is it pressing on anything?
How is this different from multicentric Castleman disease?
Which specialists should follow my care?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startany time in life

The exact cause is currently unknown.

Blood

Also known as: localised angiofollicular lymphoid hyperplasia; localized angiofollicular lymphoid hyperplasia; unicentric castleman disease

Patient organizations

Source: NIH GARD · Localized Castleman diseaseGARD ID 6005 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Localized Castleman disease.

Explore the Localized Castleman disease blog

Explore research for Localized Castleman disease

Explore actively recruiting Localized Castleman disease studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Localized Castleman disease with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Share your city to look for research near you
  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

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I can help you find recruiting Localized Castleman disease studies. Enter a ZIP code, address or city below and I'll look within 50 miles.

Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

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