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A biopsy is when a small amount of tissue is taken from the body and examined, usually under a microscope.

When the cause of a disease is not known, it is said to be idiopathic. For example, idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease, is when an individual has Multicentric Castleman disease, but the cause is not known.

Your immune system protects the body from infections, for example bacterial and viral infections. The immune system is made up of lots of different organs (such as the spleen and lymph nodes) and cells (such as white blood cells).

Human herpesvirus 8 is a virus that can occasionally cause Multicentric Castleman disease.

The liver is an organ in the body that has many functions including the removal of toxic substances from the blood. In multicentric Castleman disease the liver is sometimes larger than normal.

Lymph nodes are part of your immune system. They contain specific types of cells which help your body fight off infections. Lymph nodes are found in groups throughout your body.

Multicentric Castleman disease is where two or more groups of lymph nodes contain lymph nodes that are larger than normal and have microscopic changes. The disease can be life-threatening.

The spleen is an organ found in the body that filters the blood and is part of the immune system. It produces white blood cells which protect the body from infections. In multicentric Castleman disease the spleen is sometimes larger than normal.

Unicentric Castleman disease is where one group of lymph nodes contain one or more lymph nodes that are larger than normal and have microscopic changes. The disease can usually be cured by removing the affected lymph nodes in an operation.