Waldenström macroglobulinemia: my way

Abstract

Waldenström macroglobulinemia is a lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma. A serum monoclonal IgM protein is required to establish this diagnosis. The clinical features patients develop include normochromic normocytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy and signs of hyperviscosity. The International Staging System for Waldenstr m macroglobulinemia divides patients prognostically based on age, hemoglobin, platelet count, IgM level, and β₂ microglobulin. Some patients with Waldenstr m macroglobulinemia have a smoldering form and can be observed without intervention. Active agents in the treatment of Waldenstr m macroglobulinemia include rituximab, chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, fludarabine, bortezomib, lenalidomide, bendamustine, everolimus, and alemtuzumab. The current preferred Mayo Clinic non-study treatment is rituximab, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone. The median survival associated with this disease is now over 10 years.

Keywords::

• Waldenström
• macroglobulinemia
• chemotherapy
• prognosis

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