Arizona Boy Diagnosed with Rare Multicentric Castleman Disease After Sudden Chest Pain

In June, 11-year-old Giovanni Cruz of Tucson began complaining of severe chest and back pain while playing baseball, leading his mother Patricia to take him to Tucson Medical Center. Initial examinations failed to pinpoint a cause, and his symptoms quickly worsened, including profuse vomiting and facial flushing. He was later moved to Banner Diamond Children’s Medical Center, where doctors confirmed idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease, a disorder that enlarges lymph nodes across the body and triggers systemic inflammation.

Treatment has involved multiple biopsies, imaging studies, high-dose IV steroids, IL-6-directed therapy, and dialysis for kidney complications. A GoFundMe campaign reports fluid buildup around his abdomen, lungs and heart, requiring supplemental oxygen, and notes that his care may continue for six to eight weeks with chemotherapy as a possible next step.