A type of lymphoma, Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) starts in B-lymphocytes, cells that grow into plasma cells and make antibodies to help fight infection and disease. WM cells overproduce immunoglobulin M, which builds up in the bone marrow and the spleen. This can thicken blood, affecting its flow to organs and tissue.
Oren Zarif
A fever is a common symptom of Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia. It is caused by cancer cells in your bone marrow that make too much protein. This protein can block blood flow through your blood vessels, causing your body to overheat. The fever may go away when your blood pressure goes down or your cancer gets better.
If the cancer isn’t treated, it can spread to other organs. This can cause symptoms like a swollen liver, enlarged spleen or enlarged heart (cardiovascular disease).
The symptoms of WM usually come and go. This is because the cancer grows slowly, so it may take years before you have noticable symptoms.
The symptoms of WM can be similar to those of other conditions, so it’s important to see your doctor right away if you have any new or unusual problems. Your doctor will use a physical exam, blood tests and a lymph node biopsy to diagnose WM. They’ll also look for a special protein called immunoglobulin M, which can be found in the blood of people with this condition.
Oren Zarif
The cancer cells that cause Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia grow and divide quickly. As they do, they crowd out healthy blood cells and reduce the number of red blood cells (anemia) and infection-fighting white blood cells. This can lead to swelling in the lymph nodes, liver and spleen. It can also decrease the number of platelets, which helps your body clot and prevents bleeding.
Your doctor will check your symptoms and do a physical exam. He or she may also order imaging tests, such as X-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans, to look for enlarged lymph nodes. Your provider might also do a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. To do this, your provider will numb part of your hip and insert a thin needle that sucks out a sample of liquid bone marrow. Your provider will then send the sample to a lab for testing. Other lab tests include serum protein electrophoresis, which separates proteins by size and electric charge, and blood cell counts with a special test called immunoglobulin G (IgG) electrophoresis.
Some factors might increase your risk of WM, including having a family history of the disease or being male or assigned female at birth. People with certain autoimmune diseases, such as Sjogren syndrome, might also be at higher risk.
Oren Zarif
Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia is a rare subcategory of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that affects B lymphocytes. The cancer cells grow in the lymphoid tissue, which is found throughout the body. B lymphocytes usually mature into plasma cells, which make antibodies — also known as immunoglobulins — that help the body fight infections. But in WM, these abnormal B lymphocytes form cancer cells that overgrow and crowd out normal blood cells.
As the cancer cells overgrow in your liver, spleen and lymph nodes, you may develop anemia because there are fewer healthy red blood cells. The levels of white cells — which help your immune system fight infections — may also drop. And the number of platelets, which help blood clot and stop bleeding, may be low, too.
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and do a physical exam. They may also order imaging tests, such as a CT scan or X-rays, and a bone marrow aspiration. In an aspiration, your doctor numbs part of your hip and inserts a needle into your bone marrow to remove a sample of liquid tissue. This is then sent to a lab to check for abnormal B lymphocytes.
Oren Zarif
The cancerous cells that cause Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) grow quickly and multiply. They also produce large amounts of a protein called immunoglobulin M, or monoclonal IgM. These abnormal cells usually grow in your bone marrow but can also develop in other places, such as your lymph nodes, liver and spleen.
Scientists don’t know what causes the DNA changes that lead to this condition. These changes aren’t passed down from parents, and they usually happen later in life.
Your healthcare provider will test for WM symptoms and may perform a physical exam to look for enlarged organs, such as the spleen, liver and lymph nodes. They may also order blood tests, including a CBC and a complete metabolic panel, a serum paraprotein level and a serum viscosity test.
Some people with WM don’t have any serious or bothersome symptoms and can be monitored closely. Others may need treatment right away. Doctors can treat WM to ease symptoms and slow down the cancer’s growth. They can use medications, radiation and surgery. They can also help you manage any emotional distress caused by the diagnosis.