1. It Starts in the Immune System
Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia, or WM, is a rare cancer, but it's a variant of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which is a common cancer. WM affects B cells, which help fight infection in the body. When B cells are cancerous, they multiply without control or order and stop functioning normally in the body. WM's cancerous B cells overproduce the protein IgM, which can cause the blood to thicken.
2. Linked to Hepatitis C
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, a history of infection with the hepatitis C virus could significantly increase a patient's risk of WM. Patients with hepatitis C are 300 percent more likely to develop this rare type of lymphoma. Hepatitis C patients can ask their doctors about screening tests to find WM at an early stage and before symptoms develop.
3. Subtle Signs and Symptoms
WM is a slow-growing cancer and some patients have few or no symptoms for years. However, hyperviscosity syndrome develops when the presence of too many IgM proteins causes the blood to thicken excessively and causes patients to experience blurry vision or headaches. Other WM symptoms include weakness, fatigue or unusual bruising or bleeding. These symptoms can stem from WM or less serious conditions, so it's important to see a doctor for a complete and accurate diagnosis.
4. Pinpointing a Rare Disease
Doctors can use several tests to diagnose WM. Imaging tests, such as CT scans or X-rays, can show doctors areas of swelling inside the body. Laboratory tests can reveal excess amounts of IgM proteins or other substances in the blood indicative of WM. The definitive diagnostic procedure for identifying WM is usually a biopsy. In this procedure, the doctor removes tissue from the bone marrow and examines it under a microscope. The doctor then looks for abnormal B cells produced by the bone marrow.
5. Weigh Treatment Options
If a patient feels well and has no symptoms from WM, some doctors may adopt a conservative "watchful waiting" approach. For these patients, the risks of treatment can outweigh the potential benefits. Of course, if a patient's condition changes over time, he can discuss treatment options with a doctor. Common treatments include chemotherapy drugs, biological therapy drugs or a combination of drugs. Another option, Plasmapheresis, is a WM treatment that removes circulating plasma from the bloodstream. This can reduce the symptoms of hyperviscosity syndrome.
