Waldenström's macroglobulinemia natural history, complications and prognosis

Waldenström's macroglobulinemia Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Waldenström's macroglobulinemia from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Study of Choice
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Electrocardiogram
Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy
Electrophoresis and Immunofixation
Chest X Ray
CT
MRI
Echocardiography or Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Waldenström's macroglobulinemia natural history, complications and prognosis On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia natural history, complications and prognosis All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Waldenström's macroglobulinemia natural history, complications and prognosis
CDC on Waldenström's macroglobulinemia natural history, complications and prognosis
Waldenström's macroglobulinemia natural history, complications and prognosis in the news
Blogs on Waldenström's macroglobulinemia natural history, complications and prognosis
Directions to Hospitals Treating Waldenström's macroglobulinemia
Risk calculators and risk factors for Waldenström's macroglobulinemia natural history, complications and prognosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mirdula Sharma, MBBS [2]

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Natural History

• Most patients with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia are initially asymptomatic. If left untreated, most of the patients will develop symptomatic Waldenström's macroglobulinemia.

Complication

• Common complications of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia include:

• Late complications:

• Richter's transformation also Known as Large Cell Transformation

• Bing-Neel Syndrome - Central Nervous System Lymphoma

Current medical treatments result in survival some longer than 10 years. In part this is because better diagnostic testing means early diagnosis and treatments. Older diagnosis and treatments resulted in published reports of median survival of approximately 5 years from time of diagnosis. New treatments have made longer term survival a reality for many with this condition. In rare instances, WM progresses to multiple myeloma.