Description

Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (mak-roe-glob-u-lih-NEE-me-uh) is a type of cancer that begins in the white blood cells. Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia is considered a type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Sometimes called lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma.

In Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, some white blood cells undergo changes to become cancer cells. Cancer cells can accumulate in the spongy material inside bones, where blood cells are made. This material is called bone marrow. The cancer cells of a multitude of healthy blood cells in the bone marrow. Cancer cells can also accumulate in other parts of the body, such as lymph nodes and the spleen.

The cancer cells of a protein that can build up in the blood. Too much protein could reduce the flow of blood in the body and cause other problems.

Symptoms

Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia is slowly growing. It may not cause symptoms for years.

When they occur, Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia symptoms may include:

  • Fatigue.
  • Fever.
  • The loss of weight.
  • Night sweats.
  • Numbness in the hands or feet.
  • Swollen lymph nodes.
  • A feeling of pain or feeling of fullness below the ribs on the left side, which can be caused by an enlargement of the spleen.
  • Easy bruising.
  • Bleeding from nose or gums.
  • The pain of a headache.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Changes in vision.
  • Confusion.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your primary care provider if you have ongoing symptoms that worry you.

Causes

The cancer occurs when cells develop changes in their DNA. A cell's DNA contains the instructions that tell a cell what to do. The changes that indicate cells that multiply rapidly. The cells continue living when healthy cells would die as a part of their life cycle.

In Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, the changes occur in the white cells of the blood. Shift changes of some of the white blood cells in the cancer cells. It is not clear what causes the changes.

Cancer cells can accumulate in the spongy material inside bones, where blood cells are made. This material is called bone marrow. The cancer cells of a multitude of healthy blood cells in the bone marrow. Cancer cells can also accumulate in the lymph nodes and the spleen.

Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia cells of a protein that the body can't use. The protein is immunoglobulin M, which is also called IgM. The IgM can build up in the blood. This can reduce the flow of blood in the body and cause other problems.

Risk factors

Factors that may increase the risk of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia include:

  • Be greater. Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia can occur at any age, but is most often found in adults 70 and more.
  • The fact of being a man. Men are more likely to have Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia.
  • Be white. White people are more likely to develop the disease, compared to people of other races.
  • Having a family history of lymphoma. Have a relative that you have Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia or other type of B-cell lymphoma can increase your risk.

Diagnosis

A physical examination, medical history, and the following tests are used for the diagnosis of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia:

  • Blood tests.Blood tests can show if there are too few blood cells healthy. Also, blood tests detect a protein produced by cancer cells. This protein is immunoglobulin M, which is also called IgM. Blood tests also can show how well the organs are working. The results can show if theIgMproteins are damaging organs, including the kidneys and the liver.
  • The collection of a sample of bone marrow for testing. During a bone marrow biopsy, a needle is used to take a bit of bone marrow of the hip bone. The sample goes to a lab where it is tested for cancer cells. If there are cancer cells is, the more evidence you can provide more information about the cells.
  • Imaging tests. Imaging tests can help show if the cancer has spread to other areas of the body. Imaging tests may include a ct scan or positron emission tomography scans, which are also called PET.

Blood tests. Blood tests can show if there are too few blood cells healthy. Also, blood tests detect a protein produced by cancer cells. This protein is immunoglobulin M, which is also called IgM.

Blood tests also can show how well the organs are working. The results can show whether the IgM proteins are damaging organs, including the kidneys and the liver.

Treatment

The options of treatment of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia may include:

  • Watchful waiting. If IgM proteins that are in the blood, but there are no symptoms, treatment may not be needed immediately. In its place, you may have blood tests every few months to help control your condition. Doctors sometimes refer to this as watchful waiting. There can be no need of treatment for years.
  • The Plasma exchange. The Plasma exchange, also known as plasmapheresis, removes IgM protein in the blood. Is replaced with the health of blood plasma. Plasma exchange can alleviate the symptoms caused by having too many IgM protein in the blood.
  • Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy uses strong drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Chemotherapy is used alone or with other medicines you could be the first treatment for people who have symptoms of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia. In addition, high-dose chemotherapy can stop the bone marrow from cells and can be used to prepare for a bone marrow transplant.
  • The targeted therapy. Targeted therapy uses drugs that attack specific chemicals in cancer cells. By blocking these chemicals, specific treatments can cause cancer cells to die. The targeted therapy drugs may be used with other treatments, such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy.
  • Immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is treatment with medicines that help your body's immune system to kill cancer cells. Your immune system fights diseases by attacking the germs and other cells that should not be in your body. Cancer cells survive by hiding from the immune system. Immunotherapy helps the cells of the immune system find and kill cancer cells.
  • Bone marrow transplant. In select cases, a bone marrow transplant, also known as stem cell transplant may be a treatment of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia. During this procedure, the high doses of chemotherapy to wipe out the bone marrow. Healthy stem cells from the blood enters the body in order to reconstruct the healthy bone marrow.
  • Supportive care. Supportive care, also called palliative care focuses on the relief of pain and other symptoms of serious illness. This extra layer of care can support as you undergo other treatments, such as chemotherapy.

Preparing for your appointment

If you have symptoms that worry you, make an appointment with your primary care provider.

If your primary care provider thinks that you have Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, you may be referred to a specialist in the treatment of blood and bone marrow conditions, also known as a hematologist.

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

Have a family member or a friend to help you remember the information that is obtained.

Make a list of:

  • Your symptoms and when they began.
  • All medications, vitamins or supplements that you take, including over-dose.
  • Questions to ask your health care provider.

Questions could include:

  • What could be the cause of my symptoms?
  • There are other possible causes?
  • What tests do I need?

Questions to ask a specialist if you are referring to include:

  • I have Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia?
  • What do I need to start treatment right away?
  • What are the goals of treatment for me?
  • What treatment do you recommend it?
  • What are the possible side effects of treatment?
  • What is the outlook for my condition?

Be sure to ask any other questions you have.

What to expect from your doctor

Your provider is likely to ask you questions, such as:

  • How the symptoms changed over time?
  • Is there anything worse or better?
  • Do you have any other medical conditions?
  • Have someone in your family has had lymphoma?
Symptoms and treatment of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia