Radiation Oncology/Waldenstroms

Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia


 * B-cell proliferative disorder with bone marrow lymphoplasmacytic infiltration and production of monoclonal IgM; considered to be a low-grade lymphoma
 * Symptoms are usually due to blood hyperviscosity, anemia, and hepatosplenomegaly
 * Asymptomatic patients are typically observed
 * Alkylating agents (chlorambucil), nucleoside analogues, and rituximab (eg CHOP-R) are reasonable first line approaches
 * Symptomatic support as necessary
 * For RT treatment of splenomegaly, please see the Spleen chapter
 * Historically, hemibody and total body irradiation was used, but it has fallen out of favor with development of more modern chemotherapies


 * Italy; 2002 PMID 12187029 -- "Advanced waldenström's macroglobulinemia: a case of possible cure after systemic chemotherapy, splenic radiation and splenectomy." (Cavanna L, Acta Haematol. 2002;108(2):97-101.)
 * Case report. 41M with WM, massive splenomegaly. Treated with plasmaparesis, chemo (BCNU, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, melphalan, prednisone) x16 cycles, and splenic RT 36 Gy
 * Outcome: Persistent mild splenomegaly and small IgM band. He then underwent splenectomy, showing persistent disease. 2 months later, complete response, and has remained disease-free x18 years
 * Conclusion: Splenectomy should be considered; spleen RT 36 Gy with chemo didn't seem sufficient to fully eradicate the disease


 * Japan; 1997 PMID 9322902 -- "Durable remission after splenectomy for Waldenström's macroglobulinemia with massive splenomegaly in leukemic phase." (Takemori N, Leuk Lymphoma. 1997 Jul;26(3-4):387-93.)
 * Case report. Patient with WM and massive splenomegaly, refractory to chemo. Splenic RT effectively reduced serum IgM, spleen size, and lymphocyte counts, however, only transient
 * He then underwent splenectomy, and has been in remission for 6 years
 * Conclusion: Recommend splenectomy as part of management


 * 1977 PMID 405054 -- "Report of a case of Waldenström macroglobulinemia treated and controlled by radiotherapy." (Shehata WM, Blood. 1977 Jun;49(6):1023-4.)
 * Case report


 * Review; 2007 PMID 17634838 -- "Treatment of Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia." (Dimopoulos MA, Curr Treat Options Oncol. 2007 Apr;8(2):144-53.)