Frequent follow-up exams are very important for several years after the treatment for Castleman disease is finished. The doctors will continue to watch you for signs of recurrent disease, as well as for short-term and long-term side effects of treatment. It is important that you report any new symptoms to the doctor right away, so that relapse or side effects can be treated.

Checkups usually include a careful physical exam, x-rays when necessary, and lab tests.

Multicentric Castleman disease may come back as soon as the first year after treatment. Eventually some people with multicentric Castleman disease develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma or Kaposi sarcoma. It helps to diagnose and treat these conditions as early as possible.

Another benefit of follow-up care is that it gives you a chance to discuss questions and concerns that can arise during and after your recovery.

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