The diagnostic process starts with ruling out other conditions

Because idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) can look like cancer, infectious diseases, or autoimmune conditions, your doctor will have to conduct a number of tests to rule out more than 15 conditions before reaching a diagnosis of iMCD.

Autoimmune Infectious Cancers iMCD Adapted from Fajgenbaum et al. Blood. 2017.
Yankee, iMCD patient testimonial Sylvant

My doctor [did] all kinds of tests—CT scan, ultrasound, and of course, blood tests.

– Yankee, iMCD patient

What it takes to get a confirmed diagnosis

The road to diagnosis can be long. That’s why it is important for you to report every symptom to your doctor.

The journey typically starts by meeting with a primary care physician who may refer you to a specialist. Following is a list of doctors you might meet and tests you might have to undergo.

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Doctors you may meet

This list is not a complete representation of all the doctors you might meet during your journey to diagnosis.

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Tests you may undergo

  • Physical examination of swollen lymph nodes, enlarged organs, and fluid accumulation
  • Blood tests to look for signs of infection, autoimmune conditions, and kidney damage
  • An x-ray, a PET scan, or a CT scan will reveal the presence of multiple swollen lymph nodes and enlarged organs
Excisional biopsy icon Sylvant

The difference between an incisional and excisional biopsy

Abbreviations: CT, computed tomography; PET, positron emission tomography.

Getting an accurate diagnosis for a rare disease like iMCD is never easy. It’s important to work with your doctors and remain persistent throughout the diagnostic journey.

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Important Safety Information

What is SYLVANT?

SYLVANT® (siltuximab) is a prescription medicine used to treat people with multicentric Castleman’s disease (MCD) who do not have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) infection. It is not known if SYLVANT is safe and effective in children.

Important Safety Information

What is SYLVANT?

SYLVANT® (siltuximab) is a prescription medicine used to treat people with multicentric Castleman’s disease (MCD) who do not have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) infection. It is not known if SYLVANT is safe and effective in children.

Who should not take SYLVANT?

Do not take SYLVANT if you have had a severe allergic reaction to siltuximab or any of the ingredients in SYLVANT. See the Patient Information for a complete list of ingredients in SYLVANT.

What are the possible side effects of SYLVANT?

SYLVANT may cause serious side effects, including:

Infections. SYLVANT may lower your ability to fight infections. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any signs or symptoms of an infection during treatment with SYLVANT.

Infusion and allergic reactions. If you have an infusion or allergic reaction while receiving SYLVANT, your healthcare provider will stop your infusion and treat your reaction. If you have a severe infusion or allergic reaction, your healthcare provider may stop your treatment completely. Tell your healthcare provider or get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms during or after your infusion of SYLVANT:

  • back pain
  • chest pain or tightness
  • nausea and vomiting
  • flushing
  • redness
  • irregular heart beat (palpitations)
  • trouble breathing
  • wheezing
  • dizziness or light-headedness
  • swelling of the lips
  • skin rash
  • headache
  • itching

The most common side effects of SYLVANT include:

rash, itching, upper respiratory tract infection, swelling, weight gain, and increased blood level of uric acid.

These are not all the possible side effects of SYLVANT. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before you take SYLVANT, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have an infection. You should not take SYLVANT if you have a severe infection.
  • have had a recent vaccination or are scheduled to receive any vaccinations. You should not receive a live vaccine during your treatment with SYLVANT.
  • have or have had any stomach or bowel (intestine) problems, such as diverticulitis or ulcers. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any pain or discomfort in your stomach.
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if SYLVANT will harm your unborn baby. You should not become pregnant while receiving treatment with SYLVANT. Females who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment with SYLVANT and for 3 months after stopping treatment.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if SYLVANT passes into your breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will take SYLVANT or breastfeed. You should not do both.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take,

including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Please see full Prescribing Information for additional Important Safety Information.