Treatment for Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia.

Princess Margaret Hospital/Ontario Cancer Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Christine.chen@uhn.on.ca

Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia is a rare form of indolent lymphoma characterized by the production of a monoclonal immunoglobulin M protein, and complications such as hyperviscosity, cytopenias and peripheral neuropathy. Conventional treatment approaches are based on alkylators or nucleoside analogs, but in the absence of a clearly superior regimen, a broad array of alternative therapies exists. Choices range from biological agents to combination chemotherapy to stem-cell transplantation. A rational approach therefore must be based on careful patient assessment and individualization of therapy.

PMID: 15033658 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]