Anemia: A condition in which the body has below-normal
levels of red blood cells.
Autoimmune condition: A condition in which the
body’s immune system accidentally attacks itself.
CT scan: Computed tomography (CT) is a method of
producing an image of the internal structures by passing an x‑ray through
the body.
Excisional biopsy: During this surgical procedure,
an incision/cut is made in the skin to remove a swollen lymph node, which
is then examined under a microscope to look for signs of a disease. A small
amount of healthy tissue around the abnormal area may also be removed.
Fine needle aspiration (FNA) or core biopsy: Procedures
during which tissue is obtained from a swollen lymph node with the help of
a fine needle and syringe.
Hematologist-oncologist: A doctor who specializes
in the branch of medical science that deals with cancers of the blood and
blood-forming tissues.
Hemoglobin: A protein inside red blood cells that
carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and brings carbon dioxide
back to the lungs.
HHV-8: Human herpesvirus-8.
HIV: Human immunodeficiency virus.
Idiopathic: Idiopathic means that the underlying
cause or origin of a disease is unknown.
Idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD): A rare condition that affects multiple groups of lymph nodes throughout
the body. Patients with iMCD are HIV negative and HHV-8 negative.
Incisional biopsy: It is a procedure in which a
sample of abnormal tissue or lump is removed by making a cut through the
skin. The tissue sample is then examined under the microscope for any signs
of a disease.
Infectious disease expert: A doctor who specializes
in infectious disease medicine, a subspecialty of internal medicine that
focuses on diagnosing and managing infections.
Interleukin-6 (IL-6): A key signaling molecule
that helps to regulate the body’s immune system.
Intravenous (IV) infusion: Administration of the
drug solution into a vein.
Lymph nodes: Lymph nodes make immune cells that
help the body fight infection.
Nephrologist: A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis
and treatment of kidney abnormalities.
Pathologist: A doctor who evaluates the changes
caused by disease in tissues and body fluids and helps determine a diagnosis.
PET scan: Positron emission tomography (PET) is
a method of producing a 3-dimensional image of the internal structures of
body tissues after administering a natural biochemical substance like glucose
or fatty acids. These images are generated with the help of a computer.
Rheumatologist: A doctor who specializes in the
branch of medicine that deals with rheumatic conditions.