What is the cause of Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia?
What causes Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM)? Doctors do not know what causes WM but believe it involves a gene mutation. Recent research has found that WM cells have a mutation (change) in a gene known as MYD88, which normally helps immune system cells signal each other and helps keep them alive.
How do you get Waldenstrom?
The DNA changes found in WM cells are usually acquired after birth (not passed on from a parent). Some of these acquired changes may have outside causes, but often they occur for no apparent reason. They seem to happen more often as we age, which might help explain why WM usually occurs in older people.
Is Waldenstrom’s curable?
Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) is generally not considered to be curable, but it is treatable. Many different medicines can help keep WM under control, often for long periods of time. Not everyone with WM needs treatment right away. In fact, some people are diagnosed with WM before they even have symptoms from it.
Is Waldenstroms genetic?
Waldenström macroglobulinemia is not inherited, and most affected people have no history of the disorder in their family. The condition usually arises from genetic changes in blood cells that are acquired during a person’s lifetime (somatic variants), which are not inherited.
Is Waldenstrom an autoimmune disorder?
Waldenström macroglobulinemia represents a lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma with an indolent clinical course. The existing literature associates this hematologic malignancy with various autoimmune disorders. Notwithstanding, these autoimmune conditions have not been comprehensively characterized or systematized to date.
Is WM hereditary?
Heredity. Inherited genes seem to play a role in at least some people who get WM. About 1 in 5 people with WM has a close relative with WM or with a related B-cell disease, such as MGUS or certain types of lymphoma or leukemia.
How can Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia be prevented?
Most of the risk factors for Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM), such as older age or monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), can’t be changed or controlled, so there is no way to prevent cancers that might be related to these risk factors.
Is Waldenstrom leukemia?
For additional information about WM, please see the free Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) booklet Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM), also called “lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma,” is a rare, indolent (slow-growing) blood cancer that is treatable with available therapies but is not curable.
Are there any signs or symptoms of Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia?
People with Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia may experience the following symptoms or signs. Sometimes, people with Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia do not have any of these changes. Or, the cause of a symptom may be a different medical condition that is not cancer.
What kind of lymphoma does Waldenstrom have?
Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia is considered a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It’s sometimes called lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma. Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia is slow growing and may not cause signs and symptoms for many years.
What are the side effects of Waldenstrom’s disease?
Your doctor can help you find out if one’s right for you. Because Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia usually spreads slowly, you can keep it in check if you catch it early. During treatment, you may have side effects. For example, chemotherapy can lead to nausea, temporary hair loss, diarrhea, and fatigue.
How are blood tests used to diagnose Waldenstrom’s?
Blood tests show if you have low levels of healthy blood cells. They can also check the amount of immunoglobulin M proteins in your blood. Blood tests also measure how well your organs are working. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. To confirm that you have Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia, your doctor tests your bone marrow for cancer cells.