Types of Lymphoma > Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia
Last update: 03/27/2017
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Overview of Waldenstrom's
Macroglobulinemia
B-cell stage:
mature, plasma cells
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Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia (WM) is a kind of blood cell cancer called lymphoma. Under normal conditions there is a balance in which new cells replace old, and each cell carries out tasks specific to its kind. A lymphoma is caused by mutations or errors in lymphocytes, causing these cells to live too long and accumulate over time.
See also Lymphoma Simplified
For WM the abnormal blood cells are B lymphocytes - mature plasma cells, cells that make an antibody called IgM. Over time the overproduction of IgM causes the blood to become too thick (hyperviscosity).
(Science talk - Jargon: the overproduction of the antibody in WM is called monoclonal macroglobulin (IgM) antibody OR monoclonal IgM gammopathy).
This blood thickening (hyperviscosity) interferes with blood flow through small blood vessels, which leads to many of the symptoms of the disease.
WM also presents with bone marrow infiltration and often with clinical symptoms such as neuropathy
In the News
Symptoms may include
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fatigue (from anemia)
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weight loss
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headache
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dizziness, mental status changes
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bruising of the skin, rash, nosebleeds, bleeding gums
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Sometimes people have no symptoms and it is found by chance following a blood test.
Diagnosis
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A blood test The blood tests will show the number of abnormal cells present and the amount of the IgM antibody in your blood.
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Bone marrow biopsy to determine if abnormal cells are present in marrow.
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Ultrasound Lets the doctor see if your liver or spleen is enlarged.
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CT scan X-ray images are taken from different angles which are processed by a computer to create detailed pictures of the inside of the body.
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Resources
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IWMF-Talk - Internet Discussion Forum
Support specific to Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia
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About WM: NCI | Cancerbacup.org.uk | MedlinePlus | Waldenstromsresearch.org | theoncologist.alphamedpress.org | International Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia Founation - IWMF
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Bing Center for WM Research wmprogram.com
"Comprehensive recommendations for the diagnosis and therapy of Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia including the consensus panel reports from the 2nd International Workshop on Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia held in Athens, Greece." - www.wmprogram.com/Diagnosis/Default.asp
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Defining WM
www.wmprogram.com/Diagnosis/WhatisWaldenstrom's(D&T).pdf
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Prognostic markers and criteria to initiate therapy in WM www.wmprogram.com/Diagnosis/ConsensusPanel2Manuscript.pdf
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Treatment Recommendations in WM www.wmprogram.com/Diagnosis/ConsensusPanel2Manuscript.pdf
Consensus Panel Recommendations from the Second International
Workshop on Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia
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Uniform Response Criteria in WM www.wmprogram.com/Diagnosis/ConsensusPanel2Manuscript.pdf
Consensus Panel Recommendations from the Second International
Workshop on Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia
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Detailed - Guidelines for diagnosis and therapy - BSH PDF
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Q&A nci.nih.gov pdf
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Waldenstrom's Glossary
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Treatments
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Treatments
TOPIC SEARCH: SearchMedica
Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia is a slowly progressing, or chronic, condition. You may not need treatment and will be monitored with blood tests instead. Some people may never require treatment.
Apheresis (also called plasmapheresis or plasma exchange) medlib.med.utah.edu
"The process of apheresis involves removal of whole blood from a patient or donor. Within an instrument that is essentially designed as a centrifuge, the components of whole blood are separated. One of the separated portions is then withdrawn and the remaining components are retransfused into the patient or donor." PAL
Chemotherapy may include Leukeran, Alkeran, Cytoxan, Fludarabine, Rituxan, or steroids.
Splenectomy is the surgical resection (removal) of an enlarged spleen. Case reports indicate this procedure can be effective in treating WM Related PubMed abstracts | About splenectomy
Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia:
Questions and Answers Cancer.gov
Includes How is Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia treated?
ARTICLES
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NEW Novel Treatment Regimens for Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia: Other Drugs under Investigation in Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia http://bit.ly/cxzcal
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Bing Center researchers publish two new papers on mast cells and WM wmprogram.com
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Mast cells in Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia support lymphoplasmacytic cell growth through CD154/CD40 signaling wmprogram.com/
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A Phase I/II Study of TACI-Ig To Neutralize APRIL and BLyS in Patients with Refractory or Relapsed Multiple Myeloma or Active Previously-Treated Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia. Session Type: Poster Session 770-II
ASH 2005
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Predictive Factors for Response and Progression after Treatment with Rituximab in Previously Untreated Patients with Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia (WM). Session Type: Poster Session 736-III ASH 2005
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Phase II Study of Bortezomib [Velcade] in Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia: Results of WMCTG Trial 03-248. Session Type: Oral Session http://clincancerres.aacrjournals.org
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Durable remission after splenectomy for Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia with massive splenomegaly in leukemic phase.
Leuk Lymphoma. 1997 Jul;26(3-4):387-93. PMID: 9322902 | Related articles
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Use of iodine 131I-tositumomab radioimmunotherapy in a patient with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia.
Leuk Lymphoma. 2004 Mar;45(3):591-5. PMID: 15160923
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Treatment of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia with rituximab.
J Clin Oncol. 2002 May 1;20(9):2327-33. PMID: 11981004 PubMed
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Fludarabine therapy in Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia patients treated previously with 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine. Leuk Lymphoma. 2002 Feb;43(2):361-3. PMID: 11999570 PubMed
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Treatment of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia with rituximab.
J Clin Oncol. 2002 May 1;20(9):2327-33. PMID: 11981004
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Extended Rituximab Therapy for Previously Untreated Patients with Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia. Clin Lymphoma. 2002 Dec;3(3):163-6. PMID: 12521393 PubMed
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Thalidomide Active Against Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia -Journal of Clinical Oncology 2001;19:3593-3594,3596-3601.
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Clinical Trials
and Research Centers
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Clinical Trials and Research Centers
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ClinicalTrials.gov
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newly diagnosed or untreated | recurrent
TIP: After clicking the desired Lookup query,
click the Results on Map tab to find studies near you.
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WM Clinical Trials Group (WMCTG)
Dana Farber Cancer Inst, MA
UCLA Medical Ctr., CA
Stanford University, CA
Beth Israel Hospital, MA
Roswell Park Memorial, NY
St. Vincent's Hospital, NY
LI Jewish Memorial, NY
University of Maryland, MD
University of Miami, FL
Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH
Northwestern University, IL
Rush Presbyterian, IL
Rocky Mountain Cancer Ctr., CO
Arizona Cancer Ctr., AZ
McMaster University, Canada
Cross Cancer Ctr., Canada
St Bartholomew's, UK
Karolinska Institut, Sweden
Hopital Schaffner, France
University of Salamanca, Spain
Niguarda Hospital, Italy
McCallum Cancer Ctr., Australia |
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Research News
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Research News
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