Waldenström's macroglobulinemia medical therapy

Waldenström's macroglobulinemia Microchapters
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Medical Therapy

There are several different options for Waldenström Macroglobulinemia.

Watchful Waiting

Patients who do not have symptoms and whose cancer does not seem to be progressing often do not need treatment.

Plasmapheresis

• Plasmapheresis is recommended in patients with Waldenström Macroglobulinemia who develop hyperviscosity symptoms.
• Plasmapheresis temporarily lowers IgM levels by removing some of the abnormal IgM from the blood, which makes the blood thinner.
• However, plasmapheresis does not affect the lymphoma cells.

• Plasmapheresis is usually given until chemotherapy starts to work.