Disease Information

What is Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia?

Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia is a rare slow-growing cancer that affects your blood cells. It’s a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. (Healthcare providers may refer to this condition by the initials WM or the name lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma). WM happens when genetic mutations change certain blood cells, setting up a chain reaction of medical conditions that may be life-threatening. Providers can’t cure this condition, but they do have treatments that ease and sometimes eliminate its symptoms.

Is Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia a Common Disease?

No, it’s not common. It’s a very rare disease that affects about 5 people per 1 million in the United States. Healthcare providers diagnose an estimated 1,000 to 1,500 new cases each year. Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia typically affects people aged 65 and older. Men and people assigned male at birth are more likely to develop WM than women or people assigned female at birth. WM is more common in people who are white than in people in other ethnic groups.

Symptoms of Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia

The Symptoms of waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia start in the white blood cells. They cause these blood cells to happen to abnormal and they increase within the organs or bone marrow like the spleen/liver.

Some people have WM without having any symptoms. They may learn they have this condition while visiting their healthcare provider for other reasons. When WM does cause symptoms, they come on very gradually. The most common symptoms include:

• Fatigue: This is feeling very tired. Fatigue is a common anemia symptom.
• Fever.
• Loss of appetite.
• Night sweats.
• Weakness.
• Weight loss.
• A tingling sensation in your fingers and toes.
• These may be symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.
• Nosebleeds: Hyperviscosity or unusually thick blood may cause nosebleeds and bleeding gums.
• Thick blood may also cause dizziness and headaches.
• Blurred vision or loss of vision: Hyperviscosity may change blood flow through blood vessels that serve your retina.
• Enlarged liver or spleen.
• Swollen lymph nodes.

Causes of Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia

Healthcare providers know genetic mutations or changes trigger Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, but they don’t know what triggers the mutations. Providers have also identified risk factors that may increase the chance of developing Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia.

Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia Risk Factors

Age, family history, gender and a pre-existing condition are all risk factors that may increase the chance someone will develop Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia. Here is information about people who may have personal characteristics or conditions that increase their risk:

• They’re 65 and older.
• They’re white.
• They’re male or were born male.
• They have hepatitis C.
• They have Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
• They have Sjögren’s Syndrome.

They have monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). MGUS is a precursor for WM. Some people with MGUS go on to develop WM. But, just because you have MGUS, it doesn’t mean that you’ll develop WM.
They have biological family members who have WM or who have other kinds of lymphoma.
They were exposed to certain solvents, dyes and pesticides.

Diagnosis and Tests

Providers may use several tests to diagnose this condition:

• Blood and urine tests: Providers examine blood and urine samples for signs of WM, including low blood cell counts and high levels of immunoglobulin M (IgM).
• Imaging tests: These tests take pictures of the inside of your body, including X-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans. They can show signs of WM such as enlarged lymph nodes.
• Electrophoresis: This laboratory technique separates protein molecules based on their size and electrical charge. This test lets providers examine samples for signs of abnormal proteins.
• Bone marrow biopsy: Providers examine bone marrow samples under a microscope to see if there are lymphoma cells in your bone marrow.

Outlook / Prognosis

Healthcare providers can’t cure Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, but they do have treatments that ease symptoms. In some cases, treatments may eliminate WM symptoms for months or years.

Prevention of Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia

Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia happens when certain genes mutate, and you can’t prevent that mutation from happening. There are risk factors that may increase your chance of developing this condition. If you’re concerned you may be at risk, ask your healthcare provider to evaluate your situation so you know what to expect.

Management and Treatment

If you have WM but don’t have symptoms, your provider may not start treatment right away. This is watchful waiting. Some people may have Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia without symptoms and may not need treatment for years.

When treatment is necessary, it varies according to the patient. Treatment options for WM include:

Plasmapheresis(plasma exchange): Providers use a special machine that filters abnormal M proteins from your plasma, the liquid part of blood. They return the plasma to your bloodstream. Providers may use this treatment to ease symptoms caused by thickening blood.

Chemotherapy: Providers may prescribe cancer-killing medication.

Immunotherapy: This treatment uses your body’s immune system to destroy or slow the growth of WM cells.

Targeted therapy: This treatment uses medications that target specific changes happening inside cancer cells without harming healthy cells.

Radiation therapy: This treatment uses strong beams of energy to destroy cancer cells
Stem cell transplant (also called bone marrow transplant): Providers replace bone marrow affected by abnormal cells with healthy bone marrow.

What can I do to Take Care of Myself?

Whether you’re being treated, are in remission or don’t have symptoms, there are many things you can do to support your overall health and help with your condition. Here are some suggestions:

Avoid infections: Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your hands to your face. Avoid close contact with people who may be sick from colds, flu or other infectious diseases. Keep up to date on your flu, pneumonia and any other vaccinations your healthcare provider recommends.

Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet: In addition to balancing proteins and carbohydrates, take time to wash raw fruits and vegetables and cook meat and seafood to the proper temperature.

Get or stay physically fit: Providers believe exercise may help people have fewer complications with treatment. Getting exercise may help you manage the stress that often happens when you’re sick or worried about being sick. Talk to your provider if you’re thinking about adding exercise to your daily routine so you feel confident your exercise routine will help.
Do your best to get enough rest.

Find support: Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia is a rare illness. You may feel isolated or all alone with your condition. Connecting with people who have this condition may help.

Reference:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17951-waldenstrom-macroglobulinemia