What is Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia?
Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (also known as lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma or immunocytoma) is a rare, indolent (slow-growing) B-cell lymphoma that occurs in less than two percent of patients with NHL. There are about 1,500 new cases of Waldenström's each year. The disease usually affects older adults and is primarily found in the bone marrow, although lymph nodes and the spleen may be involved.
Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in which the cancer cells make large amounts of an abnormal protein (called a macroglobulin). Another name for waldenstroms macroglobulinemia is lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma. This condition used to be called Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia, so some people refer to it as Waldenstrom’s. To understand Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, it helps to know about lymphoid tissue in the body.
About Lymphoma and the Lymph System
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a term that refers to many types of cancer of the lymphatic system, which can have different symptoms and signs, physical findings, and treatment options. The lymphatic system is made up of thin tubes that branch out to all parts of the body and helps fight infection. The lymphatic system carries lymph, a colorless fluid containing lymphocytes. Lymphocytes fight germs in the body. B-lymphocytes (also called B-cells) make antibodies, and T-lymphocytes (also called T-cells) destroy viruses and foreign cells and regulate the B-cells to make antibodies.
Groups of bean-shaped organs called lymph nodes are located throughout the body at different sites in the lymphatic system. Lymph nodes are found in clusters in the abdomen, groin, pelvis, underarms, and neck. Other parts of the lymphatic system include the spleen, which makes lymphocytes and filters blood; the thymus, an organ under the breastbone; and the tonsils, located in the throat.
About Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia
Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia is a cancer that starts in B cells. The cancer cells in people with waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia are similar to those of 2 other types of cancer: multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Multiple myeloma is considered a cancer of plasma cells and non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of lymphocytes. Waldenstroms macroglobulinemia cells have features of both plasma cells and lymphocytes and are called lymphoplasmacytoid.
Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia cells make large amounts of a certain type of antibody (immunoglobulin M, or IgM), which is known as a macroglobulin. Each protein made by the WM cells is the same, so it is called a monoclonal protein, or just an M protein. The buildup of this M protein in the body can lead to many of the symptoms of WM, including excess bleeding, problems with vision, and nervous system problems.
The waldenstroms macroglobulinemia cells grow mainly in the bone marrow, where they can crowd out the normal cells that make the different types of blood cells. This can lead to low levels of red blood cells (called anemia), which can make people feel tired and weak. It can also cause low numbers of white blood cells, which makes it hard for the body to fight infection. The numbers of platelets in the blood can also drop, leading to increased bleeding and bruising. Lymphoma cells can also grow in organs like the liver and spleen, causing these organs to swell and leading to abdominal pain.
Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in which the cancer cells make large amounts of an abnormal protein (called a macroglobulin). Another name for waldenstroms macroglobulinemia is lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma. This condition used to be called Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia, so some people refer to it as Waldenstrom’s. To understand Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, it helps to know about lymphoid tissue in the body.
About Lymphoma and the Lymph System
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a term that refers to many types of cancer of the lymphatic system, which can have different symptoms and signs, physical findings, and treatment options. The lymphatic system is made up of thin tubes that branch out to all parts of the body and helps fight infection. The lymphatic system carries lymph, a colorless fluid containing lymphocytes. Lymphocytes fight germs in the body. B-lymphocytes (also called B-cells) make antibodies, and T-lymphocytes (also called T-cells) destroy viruses and foreign cells and regulate the B-cells to make antibodies.
Groups of bean-shaped organs called lymph nodes are located throughout the body at different sites in the lymphatic system. Lymph nodes are found in clusters in the abdomen, groin, pelvis, underarms, and neck. Other parts of the lymphatic system include the spleen, which makes lymphocytes and filters blood; the thymus, an organ under the breastbone; and the tonsils, located in the throat.
About Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia
Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia is a cancer that starts in B cells. The cancer cells in people with waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia are similar to those of 2 other types of cancer: multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Multiple myeloma is considered a cancer of plasma cells and non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of lymphocytes. Waldenstroms macroglobulinemia cells have features of both plasma cells and lymphocytes and are called lymphoplasmacytoid.
Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia cells make large amounts of a certain type of antibody (immunoglobulin M, or IgM), which is known as a macroglobulin. Each protein made by the WM cells is the same, so it is called a monoclonal protein, or just an M protein. The buildup of this M protein in the body can lead to many of the symptoms of WM, including excess bleeding, problems with vision, and nervous system problems.
The waldenstroms macroglobulinemia cells grow mainly in the bone marrow, where they can crowd out the normal cells that make the different types of blood cells. This can lead to low levels of red blood cells (called anemia), which can make people feel tired and weak. It can also cause low numbers of white blood cells, which makes it hard for the body to fight infection. The numbers of platelets in the blood can also drop, leading to increased bleeding and bruising. Lymphoma cells can also grow in organs like the liver and spleen, causing these organs to swell and leading to abdominal pain.