Surgery is the recommended treatment for people with localized Castleman disease (CD). Removing the abnormal lymph node(s) appears to cure the disease. Symptoms such as fever and fatigue that are caused by the CD go away when the lymph node is removed. Relapses are rare. Although not used as often, radiation can also cure localized disease. Some patients with localized CD develop secondary amyloidosis, a condition in which abnormal proteins build up in the kidneys, skin, and some other organs. This protein build-up stops once the lymph node affected by CD is removed.

Last Medical Review: 08/03/2009
Last Revised: 08/03/2009