Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma details: Treatment strategies, prognosis, and additional information
Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia (WM), a rare and indolent type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, is a disease that affects older, white males, and is characterized by the abnormal growth of white blood cells called B lymphocytes.
The disease typically presents with a range of symptoms, including fatigue, frequent infections, weight loss, night sweats, and swollen lymph nodes. As the disease progresses, patients may experience confusion, dizziness, headaches, vision problems, bleeding issues, and symptoms related to hyperviscosity syndrome, caused by excess IgM protein thickening the blood. Peripheral neuropathy, resulting in numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness especially in the feet and hands, is also common.
When WM develops, the body produces abnormal antibodies, which can cause symptoms such as bleeding, vision problems, and nervous system problems. A common abnormal antibody produced in WM is called IgM paraprotein.
Diagnosis typically involves blood tests to detect abnormal IgM protein, bone marrow biopsy, and genetic mutation testing (such as MYD88), which help guide treatment decisions. Since WM is indolent, treatment is tailored based on symptom severity and disease progression.
Common treatments for WM include targeted therapies such as Brukinsa (zanubrutinib), a BTK inhibitor, which is approved for WM treatment and can have side effects like infections, bleeding, and low blood counts. Other treatments may include chemotherapy and immunotherapy to reduce cancer cell levels and control symptoms, as well as plasmapheresis, a procedure to remove excess IgM protein from the blood to relieve hyperviscosity symptoms. Supportive care managing infections, anemia, and neuropathy symptoms is also crucial.
It's important to note that LPL can show up on a blood test as low red blood cell count, known as anemia. If a person notices any symptoms of WM, they should consider contacting a doctor for an evaluation.
The overall five-year survival rate for people with WM is [redacted for brevity]. Risk factors that increase an individual's chances of developing WM include age, race, sex, heredity, chronic hepatitis C infection, and autoimmune diseases such as Sjögren's syndrome.
The International Prognostic Scoring System for Waldenström Macroglobulinemia (ISSWM) is used to assign WM a stage, taking into account factors such as platelet count, age, and blood hemoglobin level. Some doctors may advise watchful waiting early in treatment to see how WM develops and begin treatment when symptoms start.
In conclusion, WM is a rare and slow-growing type of cancer that may take years to cause symptoms. Understanding the disease and its symptoms is crucial for early detection and effective treatment. If you or someone you know experiences the symptoms mentioned above, it's important to seek medical advice promptly.
- Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia (WM), a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, is characterized by the abnormal growth of B lymphocytes in the blood, a part of chronic diseases and medical-conditions.
- As WM progresses, patients may experience neurological disorders such as confusion, dizziness, headaches, vision problems, and peripheral neuropathy, causing numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness.
- WM can cause symptoms associated with mental health, including nervous system problems, bleeding, and vision problems.
- In the science of oncology, WM diagnosis involves tests like blood tests, bone marrow biopsy, and genetic mutation testing to detect abnormal proteins, guide treatment decisions, and monitor disease progression.
- Treatment for WM is individualized and can involve targeted therapies like Brukinsa (zanubrutinib), chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and plasmapheresis, in addition to supportive care for managing symptoms.
- People with WM may have a higher risk of developing the disease if they are older, white males, have a history of heredity, chronic hepatitis C infection, or autoimmune diseases like Sjögren's syndrome.
