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Waldenström Macroglobulinemia

Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia is a rare, chronic cancer that is classified as a plasma cell neoplasm. It affects plasma cells, which develop from white blood cells called B-lymphocytes, or B cells. In Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, abnormal plasma cells multiply out of control. They invade the bone marrow, lymph nodes, and spleen and produce excessive amounts of an antibody called IgM. Excess IgM in the blood causes hyperviscosity (thickening) of the blood. Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia usually occurs in people over age 65, but can occur in younger people. A review of cancer registries in the United States found that the disease is more common among men than women and among whites than blacks.

Symptoms

Some patients do not experience symptoms. Others may have enlarged lymph nodes or spleen, and may experience fatigue, headaches, weight loss, a tendency to bleed easily, visual problems, confusion, dizziness, and loss of co-ordination. These symptoms are often due to the thickening of the blood. In extreme cases, the increased concentration of IgM in the blood can lead to heart failure.

BRIEF ABOUT THE PROCEDURE

The initial treatment of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia is determined mainly by the thickness of the patient's blood. Patients with hyperviscosity usually receive chemotherapy (anti-cancer drugs). A type of treatment called plasmapheresis may be performed to relieve symptoms such as excessive bleeding and dizziness. In this procedure, blood is removed from the patient and circulated through a machine that separates the plasma (which contains the antibody IgM) from the other parts of the blood (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets). The red and white blood cells and platelets are returned to the patient, along with a plasma substitute. Interferon alpha, a biological therapy (a type of treatment that stimulates the immune system to fight cancer) can also help to relieve symptoms. For long-term control of the disease, doctors generally combine plasmapheresis with chemotherapy.

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