- The causes of the disease
- The prevalence of the disease
- The symptoms of waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia
- Diagnosis and treatment of waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia
this is a malignant plasma cell disease in which b-cells produce large amounts of the monoclonal IgM. In other words it’s a tumor of the bone marrow, which consists of lymphocytes or of lymphocytes and plasmocytes.
The causes of the disease
The cause of waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia are unknown. But the most recognized is the viral-genetic theory of particular viruses can infiltrate the human body and when exposed to certain factors, they cause the failure of the immune system. After that, the viruses can penetrate the immature bone marrow cells, causing their frequent division.
There are a number of predisposing to the disease factors that can be divided into three groups physical, chemical and biological. To physical can be attributed to x-ray irradiation, and ionizing radiation. Of the chemical factors it is worth noting the inhalation of paints and varnishes, long-term use of gold salts and some antibiotics. The biological factors include a variety of viruses, intestinal infections, surgical interventions,
The prevalence of the disease
This disease is found ten times less common than multiple myeloma. Macroglobulinemia waldenstrom’s is diagnosed more often in men. The patients ‘ age usually ranges from 30 to 90 years, and the average age is about 60 years old. Annually about three new case per million population.
The symptoms of waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia
The main symptoms of this disease are
- excessive sweating
- the weight loss
- a small increase in body temperature (37,0-37,5 C)
- joint pain
- hyperplastic syndrome (increase in bodies in which developing tumor)
- hemorrhage and bleeding
- pain and discomfort in various parts of the body
- reduced mobility of joints.
Diagnosis and treatment of waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia
For the diagnosis of this disease is physical examination, a number of analyses of blood, urine, biochemical analysis of blood. In addition, studies bone marrow biopsy, ultrasound of the liver and spleen, imaging of all bones of the skeleton (this procedure helps to estimate the location of the tumor), spiral computer and magnetic resonance tomography.
In that case, if diagnosed early-stage disease, applied clinical supervision. Treatment only starts when the diagnosed increase in tumor volume or faster growth. Complete recovery is possible only under condition of bone marrow transplantation. But this operation is rarely used, because the elderly when bone marrow transplant can cause many complications. Also used chemotherapy, methods of blood purification with the help of special instruments, transfusion of red blood cells, which can be separated from donor blood. With the use of modern therapies, life expectancy with this disease is 5-7 years after diagnosis.
In this disease, such as waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia, is hematologist. To sign up to the best expert in this area you can use the website