Waldenstroms
Waldenstroms
Antibodies
Antibodies

Macroglobulinemia of Waldenstrom

Definition:
Macroglobulinemia of Waldenstrom is a cancer of the B lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) which causes overproduction of monoclonal macroglobulin (IgMantibody).

Alternative Names:
Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia; Macroglobulinemia - primary

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The cause of this disease is unknown. It is characterized by overproduction of IgM, which causes the blood to become too thick (hyperviscosity).

This hyperviscosity interferes with blood flow through small blood vessels, which leads to many of the symptoms of the disease. The disease occurs in 5 out of 100,000 people over 50 years old.

Symptoms:

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

Signs and tests:
A physical examination may reveal enlarged spleen, liver, and lymph nodes. A retinal eye examination (examination of the eye with an ophthalmoscope) may reveal enlarged (engorged) retinal veins or retinal bleeding (hemorrhages).
Bone lesions are very rare. If they are present, a bone marrow examination will show cells that resemble both lymphocytes and plasma cells. A blood chemistry shows evidence of renal disease (kidney disease).

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:
Treatment:

Apheresis (in this case, it is called plasmapheresis or plasma exchange) is a procedure for removing unwanted substances from the blood. In macroglobulinemia, it is used to control the symptoms caused by hyperviscosity by removing or reducing the high concentration of IgM.

Blood is withdrawn from the person in the same way as for a blood donation, and the blood is passed through a cell separator that removes the plasma (the fluid portion, which contains the antibodies).

The formed elements (blood cells) are reconstituted with a plasma substitute or with donated plasma. The reconstituted blood is then returned to the body as in a blood transfusion. This is an acute procedure designed to quickly control symptoms.

Drug therapy may include Leukeran, Alkeran, Cytoxan, or corticosteroids.

Anemia (deficient number of red blood cells), leukopenia (deficient number of white blood cells) and thrombocytopenia (deficient number of platelets) in the later stages of the disease may require the use of packed red cell transfusions, antibiotics, or platelet transfusions.

Expectations (prognosis):
The median (average) survival is about 5 years. In some people, the disorder may be chronic with few symptoms and slow progression.
Complications:
Calling your health care provider:
Call your health care provider if symptoms of this disorder develop.

Review Date: 8/23/2002
Reviewed By: Scott Howard, M.D., M.S., Memphis, TN. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.