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Cancer has become one of the leading causes of death all over the globe. Around 10 million deaths in 2020 occurred because of cancer. You may hear of various cancers, such as breast, lung, skin, colon, etc. But have you heard of cancer named Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM)? What causes Waldenstrom disease? In this blog, we will discuss the entire thing in detail.
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WHAT IS WALDENSTROM MACROGLOBULINEMIA: THE COMPLETE GUIDE • What Is Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia? • Various Symptoms Of WM Cancer • What Are The Causes Of Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia? • Diagnostic Methods Of Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia • Treatments To Ease The Sign Of WM Cancer
What Is Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia? Also called Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma, it is rare cancer that slowly affects the white blood cell of your body. When you suffer from this rare type of cancer, your bone marrow produces many abnormal white blood cells. These abnormal cells remove the healthy blood cells from their place. It also produces a lot of proteins that get collected in the blood, hair the complete blood flow circulation and causes many problems.
Various Symptoms Of WM Cancer WM reacts differently in different people; some have visible symptoms, whereas others do not have any symptoms. The signs of WM cancer usually come very gradually. Below are some of them. • Fever • Weakness • Loss of Appetite • Weight Loss • Fatigue • Swollen lymph nodes • Enlarged liver • Nose bleeding • Loss of vision • Headache • Shortness of breath • Tingle sensation in the toes and fingers
What Are The Causes Of Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia? • The actual cause of WM is unclear, but it is a possible result of various genetic changes. The mutation mainly occurs in the DNA segments of the MYC88 and the CXCR4 gene. 90% of people get affected by the first gene mutation, whereas 30% of the people get affected by the mutation of the second one. • The proteins generated from these genes are responsible for signaling within the cells. The proteins formed from the MYD88 gene send signals to prevent self-destruction and aid cell survival. The proteins produced by the CXCR4 gene promote the cell’s growth and division, supporting cell survival. • The change in these genes results in the production of proteins that constantly become overactive. These proteins later perform excessive signaling that allows the survival and division of abnormal cells that must undergo apoptosis, which means the death of cells. It results in the accumulation of abnormal cells in the WM that grow out of control.
Diagnostic Methods Of Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia • Urine and blood test While performing a diagnostic process, a doctor may ask for blood and urine samples. It helps to know the low blood cell count and the immunoglobulin M (IgM) level. It also helps to know the functioning of the organ such as the kidneys and liver. • Imaging test This test allows the doctor to know whether the cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body. It includes various tests such as X-rays, CT (computerized tomography) scans, or PET (positron, emission tomography) scans. These tests allow taking pictures of the inside body. • Bone Marrow Sample Testing In this test, the doctor takes out some of the bone marrow from the hipbone using a needle. The sample is then examined to find the cancer cells. If the cancer is detected, it then undergoes advanced laboratory analysis to know its characteristics.
Treatments To Ease The Sign Of WM Cancer • Plasma Exchange In diagnosis, if it is found that the blood has too many IgM proteins, the doctor may suggest plasma exchange. It is a process to remove the excess IgM protein from the blood and restore them with healthy blood plasma. • Chemotherapy It is a drug treatment given to a cancer patient in order to kill the abnormal blood cells produced by WM. This treatment may be provided to a patient in combination with other treatments or may be given alone. Chemotherapy may help lower the signs and symptoms of WM cancer. • Targeted Therapy This therapy target the specific abnormalities that help cancer cells grow and kill them. The drugs used during this therapy may be combined with other drugs. It may also be recommended with biological therapy or chemotherapy. • Bone Marrow Transplantation It is also known as stem cell transplantation. In this treatment method, high-dose chemotherapy is provided to patients to remove the affected bone marrow. After that, the healthy blood cells are used to infuse into the body in order to restore the normal bone marrow. • Biological Therapy This therapy uses drugs to destroy cancer cells using your body’s immune system. Like chemotherapy and targeted therapy, this therapy drug is also provided alone or with other drugs.
Conclusion • Waldenstrom macroglobulinemiais a rare cancer disease, but people who suffer from this cancer have to undergo many problems. You can identify this cancer with various signs like weight loss, change in eyesight, headache, fever, etc. You must visit a treatment center and talk about your problem. Early detection helps ease the problem and prevent the disease from getting worse. If you have some of these signs but are aware of the exact problem, you do not have to worry much. The first thing you must do is consult a doctor immediately. • University Cancer Centers is a well-known treatment center for patients who are suffering from cancer. We provide accurate and immediate treatment to our patients and perform a quick diagnostic process. Our properly planned and customized treatment plan, expert doctors, and supportive staff always provide the best care to help you win the battle against cancer.
