Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia

Waldenström’s macroglobulinaemia (WM) is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It is sometimes called lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma.

WM develops when lymphoplasmacytic cells (LPL cells) become abnormal (cancerous). LPL cells are a type of B-cell. B-cells are white blood cells that normally help fight infection. B-cells are sometimes called B-lymphocytes.

The abnormal LPL cells (lymphoma cells) usually build up in the bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen and other organs. Sometimes, this can make the spleen or lymph nodes become bigger.

As the lymphoma cells build up in the body, they make large amounts of a protein called immunoglobulin M (IgM). Sometimes doctors call it the M-protein or M-band. You may also hear it called a paraprotein. IgM circulates in the blood. Large amounts of IgM in the blood can cause the blood to become thicker and more slow-moving.

If you are a healthcare professional, use our guide to find the right information and support for your patients affected by lymphoma. This explains the support available from Macmillan and from other trusted organisations.

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Waldenström’s macroglobulinaemia (WM) is more common in people over 65. It is slightly more common in men than women. The causes of WM are mostly unknown. But some things may increase your risk of developing it.

WM is sometimes linked to cases of monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS). This is a condition where there is abnormal IgM in the blood.

People who have a family member with lymphoma have a higher than average risk of developing WM. But because WM is rare, their risk of getting it is still very low. Most people who develop WM do not have any family members with lymphoma.

Like other cancers, WM is not infectious. It cannot be passed on to other people.

We have more information about causes and risk factors of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Your test results will help your doctors find out how the lymphoma is affecting your blood and bone marrow. This is called staging.

There is no standard system for staging Waldenström’s macroglobulinaemia (WM). Instead, doctors look at several factors such as:

• the level of red blood cells in the blood
• the number of blood clotting cells (platelets) in the blood
• the amount of IgM in the blood
• the amount of a protein, called beta-2-microglobulin, in the blood.

Doctors use these factors to help them predict how the lymphoma may behave and to plan treatment.

Lymphomas are also grouped as either low-grade or high-grade. Low-grade lymphomas are usually slow growing. High-grade lymphomas usually grow more quickly. WM is a low-grade lymphoma and normally develops slowly. Rarely it can change (transform) to a high-grade lymphoma.

Knowing the stage and grade of the lymphoma helps your doctor plan the right treatment for you.

We have more information about staging and grading of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

People often have many different feelings when they finish lymphoma treatment. You may feel relieved that treatment has finished, but worried about what will happen in the future. 

You will have appointments with your lymphoma doctor or nurse less often than before. But at the same time, you may have new challenges to cope with and things to think about. 

We have information below about some of the things people ask about after lymphoma treatment. But you may have other questions or need information about something else. If there is something you want to talk about at any point after treatment, you can:

• call the Macmillan Support Line free on 0808 808 00 00
• chat to our specialists online
• visit our Online Community to talk to people who have been affected by lymphoma, share your experience, and ask an expert your questions.

The organisations below also offer information and support:

You may have some ongoing side effects as you recover from lymphoma treatment. You can use our impacts of cancer A-Z to search for information about managing different symptoms and side effects. Or find out more about side effects of treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma or treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Sometimes side effects may continue or develop months or years after treatment. These are called late effects. We have more information about long-term and late effects of treatment for lymphoma.

It can take time to recover after lymphoma treatment. Some days you may feel better than others. 

It is important to know where to get support or information if you need it. People often need support even some time after lymphoma treatment. But sometimes it is difficult to know who to ask for help. To find support:

• ask your GP or someone from your cancer team for advice about support in your area
• search cancercaremap.org to find cancer support services near you
• call us free on 0808 808 0000 or talk to us online - our cancer information and support specialists can offer guidance and help you find what you need. 

Our course Help to Overcome Problems Effectively (HOPE) helps people during and after cancer treatment. It is a free, interactive, group based, self management support course. It runs for 6 weeks, with each weekly session lasting 2.5 hours. To find out more about HOPE courses in your area, email ServiceOpsSupport@macmillan.org.uk

A healthy lifestyle can help speed up your recovery. Even small lifestyle changes may improve your well-being and long-term health.

Other useful information

• Just been diagnosed?
• Physical impacts of cancer and treatment
• Help with money and work
• Cancer and your emotions
• Trouble sleeping
• Tiredness (fatigue)
• Uncertainty
• Walking (mobility) problems
• Coping with pain