Fast Facts: Waldenström Macroglobulinemia

Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is a rare lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma characterized by the presence of an immunoglobulin M (IgM) monoclonal protein. WM is a chronic, indolent disease, which can remain undiagnosed for years. A better understanding of the role of signaling pathways in the development of the disease and the identification of clinical and genetic markers have driven the development of targeted therapeutic strategies, improving overall survival. In this resource, the authors distill current knowledge on the pathophysiology, epidemiology and etiology of WM and discuss how the disease may present, how it is diagnosed and when treatment should be initiated. They also provide an overview of current approaches to treatment as well as ongoing and planned research directions. It contains a wealth of information for those working in the field and will be of particular value to specialist nurses and trainees in the fields of hematology, oncology, gerontology, pathology and neurology.