Castleman Disease
Castleman disease (CD) is a group of cytokine‑driven disorders that display similar histopathological features when assessed under a microscope.1
Idiopathic Multicentric Castleman Disease
Idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) accounts for 33%-58% of multicentric Castleman disease (MCD) cases globally. iMCD is a rare and devastating disease with a poor prognosis.1
A diagnosis of CD / iMCD requires close collaboration between treating clinicians and pathology services. This website is designed to ease navigation according to areas of clinical specialty within the diagnostic process.
Abbreviations: CD, Castleman disease; iMCD, idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease; MCD, multicentric Castleman disease.
References: 1. Fajgenbaum DC, Uldrick TS, Bagg A, et al. International, evidence-based consensus diagnostic criteria for HHV-8-negative/idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease. Blood. 2017;129(12):1646-1657.
Biopsy image used with permission from Fajgenbaum Blood 2017.
- Diagnostic journey

Clinician
Managing a patient with 2+ enlarged lymph nodes and no clear diagnosis / a suspicion of CD / iMCD?
Lymph node biopsy (excisional) sent for pathology evaluation

Pathologist
Received a lymph node biopsy that needs evaluating for CD / iMCD?
Report shared by pathology services confirming presence of histopathological features consistent with CD / iMCD spectrum

Clinician
Received a pathology report confirming CD / iMCD features and need to conclude the diagnostic process?