Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia: A review of laboratory findings and clinical aspects

Abstract

Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) is a rare B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder with clinical features of lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of the bone marrow, progressive anemia, and immunoglobulin M (IgM) monoclonal gammopathy. It can be distinguished from other B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders by molecular, cytogenetic and immunophenotyping. Despite advancements in therapy, WM is incurable and remains a challenging disease to diagnose and manage in patients with familial predisposition and second cancers. This report provides a review of the current clinical presentations, laboratory findings, and treatment of WM.