Initial Evaluation of the Patient with Waldenström Macroglobulinemia

Abstract

The initial evaluation of the patient with Waldenström macroglobulinemia can be challenging. Not only is it a rare disease, but the clinical features can vary greatly from patient to patient. In this article, we aim at providing concise and practical recommendations for the initial evaluation of patients with Waldenström macroglobulinemia, specifically regarding history taking, physical examination, laboratory testing, bone marrow aspiration, and biopsy evaluation and imaging studies. We then review the most common special clinical situations seen in patients with Waldenström macroglobulinemia, especially anemia, hyperviscosity, cryoglobulinemia, peripheral neuropathy, extramedullary disease, Bing-Neel syndrome, and amyloidosis.

Keywords: Amyloidosis; Anemia; Bing-Neel syndrome; Bone marrow aspiration; Cryoglobulinemia; Hyperviscosity; Peripheral neuropathy; Waldenström macroglobulinemia.