Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), and is slow growing.
With this disease there is an over production of too much IgM
B lymphocyte, which is also known as a B cell (White Cells). B cells are created in the bone marrow. They move to the lymph nodes and spleen to mature and become plasma cells. These cells are the ones that release an antibody Immunoglobulin M (IgM).
When the body produces too much IgM the blood becomes thicker. This is known as hyperviscosity.
This disease often starts without any symptoms and is often discovered in the course of doing unrelated blood work.
It can cause symptoms such as weight loss, fatigue, night sweats, fevers, tender or swollen lymph glands, neuropathy, and more.
Treatments:
There is no single accepted treatment for WM. Though the medication ibrutinib a.k.a Imbruvica, is often used.
WM patients are at higher risk of developing second cancers than the general population.
