Waldenström macroglobulinemia

Waldenström macroglobulinemia is a chronic disease that requires lifelong follow-up. The frequency of follow-up is variable and depends on many factors such as the presence of symptoms, the extent of disease, and the type and frequency of chemotherapy.

Asymptomatic patients who are not receiving therapy should be followed up every 3 to 6 months.[36]Pratt G, El-Sharkawi D, Kothari J, et al. Diagnosis and management of Waldenström macroglobulinaemia - a British Society for Haematology guideline. Br J Haematol. 2022 Apr;197(2):171-87. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bjh.18036 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35020191?tool=bestpractice.com ​[56]Kastritis E, Leblond V, Dimopoulos MA, et al. Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia: ESMO clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Ann Oncol. 2018 Oct 1;29 (suppl 4):iv41-50. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29982402?tool=bestpractice.com ​ Symptomatic patients and/or those on active chemotherapy may have more frequent visits depending on the type of treatment and comorbidities. Typical tests that monitor disease include measurement of quantitative immunoglobulins and monoclonal immunoglobulin M protein at least every 3 months, or as clinically indicated. Complete blood count with differential, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and calcium are monitored at the same time. Additional studies such as computed tomography (CT) scanning or bone marrow evaluation may be carried out as clinically indicated.