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Alternative names Return to top
Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia; Macroglobulinemia - primaryDefinition Return to top
Macroglobulinemia of Waldenstrom is a cancer of the B lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) that causes overproduction of monoclonal macroglobulin (IgM antibody).Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
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 Return to top
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
Signs and tests Return to top
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).Treatment Return to top
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Blood is withdrawn from the person in the same way as for a blood donation, and the blood is passed through a cell separator that removes the plasma (the fluid portion, which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 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) Return to top
The median (average) survival is about 5 years. In some people, the disorder may be chronic with few symptoms and slow progression.Complications Return to top
Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call your health care provider if symptoms of this disorder develop. Update Date: 8/3/2004 Updated by: Marcia S. Brose, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Hematology/Oncology, The University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |