Definition:
Macroglobulinemia otherwise known as Waldenström Macroglobulinemia, is a cancer involving lymphocytes. It is characterized by increased levels of macroglobulins in the circulating blood and diffuse of infiltration of bone marrow and produces symptoms of hyperviscosity.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis requires laboratory examination of the bone marrow for abnormal lymphocytes. Urine and blood tests also are done to detect the numbers of macroglobulin protein.
Treatment:
Treatment includes the monoclonal antibody rituximab and combined with chemotherapeutic drugs.
Symptoms and Signs:
Symptoms include weakness, fatigue, weight loss and chronic oozing of blood from the nose and gums (Kyle RA (1998). "Chapter 94: Multiple Myeloma and the Dysproteinemias", in Stein JH: Internal Medicine, 5th ed., New York: C.V.Mosby).
Causes:
It occurs when blood platelets begin producing abnormal amounts of IgM, an antibody which causes the blood to thicken and to be more viscous.
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