If the IgM protein level is too high, the blood will become thick (viscous) and can’t flow freely (think about pouring honey compared to pouring water).īone marrow aspiration and biopsy : For these tests, a doctor uses thin, hollow needles to remove small amounts of bone marrow, usually from the hip bone.
Viscosity: Viscosity is a measure of how thick the blood is. Levels of one of these proteins (IgM) are typically higher than normal in people with WM. People with WM may have a low red blood cell count.īlood tests for immunoglobulins: Samples of your blood might be tested for immunoglobulins (another name for antibodies). Here are some of the tests you may need:īlood cell counts: This blood test is often the first test done. If signs are pointing to WM, more tests will be done. The doctor will ask you questions about your health and do a physical exam. The most important tests will look for abnormal proteins in the blood and abnormal cells in the bone marrow. If signs or symptoms suggest that a person might have WM, exams and tests will be done to be sure.
Some common symptoms of WM are weakness, loss of appetite, fever, sweats, weight loss, and neuropathy (painful pins-and-needles feeling in the feet/legs). Sometimes it’s found in people without symptoms when they have blood tests done for some other reason. Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) is often found when a person goes to see their doctor because of symptoms they are having, or because they just don’t feel well and go in for a checkup. How does the doctor know I have Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia? Would you please write down the kind of cancer I have?.These cancer cells can also grow in organs like the liver and spleen, causing these organs to swell, leading to abdominal pain. The numbers of platelets in the blood can also drop, leading to increased bleeding and bruising. It can also cause low numbers of white blood cells, which makes it hard for the body to fight infection. This can lead to low levels of red blood cells ( anemia), which can make people feel tired and weak. The WM cells grow mainly in the bone marrow, where they can crowd out the normal cells that make the different types of blood cells. The buildup of this M protein in the body can lead to many of the symptoms of WM, including too much bleeding, problems with vision, and nervous system problems. Each protein made by the WM cells is the same, so it is called a monoclonal protein, or just an M protein. The cancer cells make large amounts of an abnormal protein called a macroglobulin. Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).
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