Waldenström Macroglobulinemia (WM)
A rare type of cancer beginning with white blood cells. Bone marrow produces too many abnormal white blood cells, crowding out healthy blood cells. Diagnosed through blood analysis: FBC, bone marrow examination, other bloods, X-rays, ECGs. Type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Cancer cells make large amounts of macroglobulin (abnormal protein (antibody) {IgM}.
Also called "Lymphoplasmacytic Lymphoma," or "Waldenstrom's." The cancer starts in B cells (Blymphocytes). Similar to cancers incl. multiple myeloma and non-hodkin lymphoma.
WM cells have features of both plasma cells and lymphocytes and are called lymphoplasm-acytoid.
Antibody (immunoglobulin M [IgM]) are called macroglobulin & each antibody made by WM is the same ∴ called monoclonal protein, or just M Protein. A build up of M protein leads to WM symptoms, incl. excessive bleeding, vision problems, & nervous system problems.
Crowding out of normal cells leads to low levels of red blood cells (anaemia), leading to symptoms of tiredness/weakness. It can also cause ↓ no. of white blood cells, leading to a higher risk of infection. Platelet numbers can also drop, leading to ↑ bleeding and bruising.
Lymphoma cells may also grow in organs such as liver and spleen ☞ swelling and abdo pain.
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/waldenstrom-macroglobulinemia/about/what-is-wm.html
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