What is it about ?
Waldenström’s disease is a malignant disease of the bone marrow and lymph nodes. For some still unknown reason, a certain type of white blood cell (B lymphocytes) begins to proliferate. These cancer cells produce a large amount of macroglobulin, a protein that enters the bloodstream. This is why it is sometimes referred to as Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM). This protein plays a role in our immune system.
Cancer cells proliferate in such a way that they repress all other cells in the bone marrow and lymph nodes: red blood cells, several types of white blood cells, and platelets. Protein can also build up in other tissues, such as the liver or spleen. It is a long-lasting disease that progresses slowly.
In whom and how often does it occur?
Waldenström’s disease is rare and affects only 3 to 4 in 1 million people each year, mostly people between the ages of 50 and 70.
How to recognize it?
As different types of blood cells are missing and the immune system is less responsive, the following complaints and symptoms may occur:
- Decrease in the number of red blood cells, leading to anemia with fatigue and a general feeling of weakness;
- Decrease in the number of white blood cells, promoting the development of infections;
- Decrease in the number of platelets resulting in disruption of blood clotting, which leads to abnormal bleeding and spontaneous effusions of blood (hematomas).
- The invasion of macroglobulins into the tissues causes an increase in the size of the liver, spleen and lymph nodes;
- The blood can get thicker. The consequences of thickening of the blood can be shortness of breath (dyspnea), cerebral infarction (stroke) and central nervous system damage, and sometimes reduced vision.
How is the diagnosis made?
The diagnosis of Waldenström’s disease can be made with certainty using a blood test and a bone marrow test. The latter exam involves “sucking” bone marrow out of the bone with a thick needle, usually from the breastbone or pelvis. An x-ray of the lungs and an ultrasound of the upper abdomen may also be helpful in determining the diagnosis.
What can your doctor do?
Waldenström’s disease has a variable course. It is a slow and long lasting illness. It is important to treat the symptoms and avoid complications. Generally, no treatment is necessary until there are symptoms. But in the presence of symptoms, the patient will have to start chemotherapy.
Want to know more?
Source