What is Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia?
Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinaemia is a rare type of blood cancer.
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It is slow growing and doesn’t always need treating right away
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Symptoms can vary from person to person, here are the most common
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It is a form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is sometimes referred to as lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL) or B-cell lymphoma
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There are around 4,000 people living with WM in the UK, you can meet some of them here
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Don’t worry, you’re not alone in struggling to pronounce it – most of us call it WM or simply Waldenstrom’s.
What causes Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinaemia?
WM is caused when a certain type of white blood cell – called B-cells – develops incorrectly. Even though these abnormal cells aren’t of any use to the body, they keep on multiplying and can crowd out the other useful blood cells. This build-up of abnormal B-cells creates some of the common symptoms felt by people with WM, such as fatigue, increased infections and unexplained bruising.
Understanding WM
Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia is caused when a certain type of white blood cell – called B-cells – develops incorrectly. Even though these abnormal cells aren’t of use to the body, they keep on multiplying until they crowd out the other useful blood cells. This build-up of abnormal B-cells creates some of the common symptoms felt by people with WM, such as fatigue, increased infections and unexplained bruising.
We’ll break down the science of WM so you can understand what’s happening to cause your symptoms.
How is WM diagnosed?
There are three main types of test routinely used to diagnose Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia: blood tests, a bone marrow biopsy, and scans. You may have been referred for these tests following a visit to your GP with concerning symptoms.
However, around a quarter of people with WM are diagnosed ‘by chance’ after routine blood tests or during investigation for another unrelated condition.
Symptoms of WM
Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia symptoms vary from person to person. Alongside blood results, your symptoms are an important way that your healthcare team will monitor your WM. So, it’s important to discuss any symptom you may have with your doctor so that they can determine if it’s related to WM and get you the care you need.
