Macroglobulinemia of Waldenstrom

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Waldenstroms


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Macroglobulinemia of Waldenstrom

Definition

Macroglobulinemia of Waldenstrom is a cancer of the B lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) that causes overproduction of monoclonal macroglobulin (IgM antibody).

Alternative Names

Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia; Macroglobulinemia - primary

Causes

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.

Review Date: 8/3/2004
Reviewed 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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