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July 23, 2025
Waldenstr?m macroglobulinemia is a rare, slow-growing type of lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system.
While the disease cannot be cured, it usually responds well to treatment.
Waldenstr?m macroglobulinemia (WM) develops from b-cell lymphocytes, a type of immune system cell. The cancerous cells can grow in the liver, spleen and lymph nodes, causing them to swell.
They also can grow in the bone marrow, crowding out normal cells. When this happens, levels of healthy blood cells can drop. This includes red blood cells (which carry oxygen through the body), white blood cells (which help the body fight infection), and platelets (which help stop bleeding).
Waldenstr?m macroglobulinemia cells may also produce too much of a protein called immunoglobulin M (IgM). When this protein builds up to very high levels, the blood can become thick. This makes it difficult for the blood to move through the blood vessels.
Who gets Waldenstr?m macroglobulinemia?
Anyone can develop this disease, but it is most common in white people, men, and people age 50 and older. Siblings, children and parents of people who have been diagnosed with WM also have an increased risk.
Waldenstr?m macroglobulinemia symptoms
Early symptoms of Waldenstr?m macroglobulinemia include fatigue and frequent infections. More advanced cases can cause confusion, dizziness and headaches.
Learn more about Waldenstr?m macroglobulinemia symptoms.
Waldenstr?m macroglobulinemia treatment
Many patients with WM do not need immediate care. When treatment is needed, options include a combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Find out more about Waldenstr?m macroglobulinemia treatments.
Living with Waldenstr?m macroglobulinemia
Waldenstr?m macroglobulinemia is a slow-growing cancer that usually responds well to treatment. Most patients can continue daily activities, even when receiving treatment.
Patients with Waldenstr?m macroglobulinemia have an increased risk of developing another cancer, so they should follow all cancer screening guidelines for their age and gender.
The disease also impacts the immune system. Patients should talk to their doctor to make sure their vaccines are up to date.
Waldenstr?m macroglobulinemia risk factors
Risk factors increase the odds of a person developing a specific disease. The risk factors for Waldenstr?m macroglobulinemia are:
- A personal history of MGUS: MGUS, or monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance, is a precancerous condition of the immune system that can lead to WM.
- Auto-immune diseases: People with certain autoimmune diseases, including systemic sclerosis, Sjogren¡¯s syndrome, warm and cold autoimmune hemolytic anemias, polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis, have an increased risk of developing Waldenstr?m macroglobulinemia.
- Infections: Waldenstr?m macroglobulinemia develops more often in people with a history of infections, including pneumonia, septicemia, pyelonephritis, sinusitis, herpes zoster, and influenza.
- Family history: People who have a family member diagnosed with Waldenstr?m macroglobulinemia or another type of lymphoma are at an increased risk.
- Age: Most cases of WM are diagnosed in people aged 50 and older.
- Race: Waldenstr?m is more common in white people.
- Gender: Men are more likely to develop WM.
Not everyone with risk factors gets Waldenstr?m macroglobulinemia. However, if you have risk factors, discuss them with your doctor.
Learn more about Waldenstr?m¡¯s macroglobulinemia:
Waldenstr?m¡¯s macroglobulinemia diagnosis, Pappas Restaurants redefine ¡®family¡¯ for patient
For James Noble (known as ¡°J.R.¡±), the first signs of trouble came in October 2013.
At the end of each workday, the normally high-energy general manager began leaving his job at Pappadeaux exhausted.
¡°My dad didn¡¯t come home with work stories anymore,¡± notes his daughter, Gloria. ¡°Instead, he came home to rest. And that is not his style.¡±
Even so, J.R.¡¯s daily fatigue didn¡¯t set off any alarms initially. ¡°At first, it seemed normal,¡± Gloria says. ¡°People are allowed to be exhausted sometimes. But then it became chronic. It was startling.¡±
Persistent symptoms lead to Waldenstr?m¡¯s macroglobulinemia diagnosis
When J.R. began losing weight and experiencing back pain, too, he went to a doctor. There, he was diagnosed with anemia and began taking vitamins to boost his iron levels. But after nine months with no improvement, his doctor referred him to an oncologist, who performed a bone marrow biopsy. The cause of his chronic anemia was finally identified: Waldenstr?m¡¯s macroglobulinemia, a rare form of lymphoma.
The first person J.R. called after leaving the doctor¡¯s office was his wife, Celeste.
¡°My immediate response was, ¡®You¡¯re going to MD Anderson. If you have cancer, that is the only place to be,¡¯¡± she says. Celeste, who also works for Pappas Restaurants in their marketing department, got her husband an appointment at MD Anderson on the advice of her boss, Harris Pappas.?
J.R.¡¯s Waldenstr?m¡¯s macroglobulinemia treatment
At MD Anderson, J.R. began receiving a combination of Carlfizomib, Rituximab?and Dexamethasone (a steroid medication) under the direction of , and The drugs were complemented with nutritional counseling and an exercise regime.
¡°His treatment has been rough, but successful,¡± Celeste says. ¡°He has one more treatment and then a bone marrow biopsy. If everything goes according to plan, he will just be monitored from now on. His doctor described it as ¡®partial remission.¡¯¡±
A new appreciation of relationships
One thing J.R. ¡ª and his entire family¡ª have taken away from his Waldenstr?m¡¯s macroglobulinemia journey is the importance of enjoying their time together.
¡°I feel much closer to my friends and family now,¡± J.R. says. ¡°And time spent with them has become more valuable.¡±
¡°This experience has made us stronger and closer,¡± Celeste adds. ¡°We appreciate each other more and cherish the times that we can all be together.¡±
¡°We love each other more openly, care more deeply and savor each moment,¡± Gloria says. ¡°It has shaped us all for the better.¡±
Jessica Noble, who gave J.R. his first grandchild, said her father¡¯s experience showed her the value of slowing down and being more present. ¡°Life and time with family is truly is a gift,¡± she says, ¡°and we should appreciate it.¡±
¡°Every moment is to be cherished,¡± adds Patrick Noble, J.R.¡¯s son.
Pappas expands patient¡¯s definition of ¡®family¡¯
J.R. is extremely grateful to the Pappas family for giving him the flexibility to work around his Waldenstr?m¡¯s macroglobulinemia treatment schedule.
But Pappas did more than just provide personal support. Pappas Restaurants also partnered with MD Anderson for the first time last year, raising money at 52 of their Houston restaurant locations to support cancer research at MD Anderson.
For J.R. and many of the other Pappas team, the effort to fundraise was deeply personal.
¡°Once the staff realized how many people were affected by cancer and that they could do something about it, it just took on a life of its own,¡± J.R. says.
In 2015, Pappas Restaurants raised more than $50,000, which was matched by the Pappas family. This year, the organization is hoping to double that amount, and J.R. is excited to share his story and be a part of that effort.
¡°At Pappas, our mission is to become a superior restaurant company through constant innovations, attention to detail and a focus on quality,¡± he says. ¡°The mission of MD Anderson is simple and powerful: ending cancer. We are the leaders in our respective fields, and we will shape the future while achieving our goals. Together, we can end cancer!¡±
Pappas customers can contribute to this fundraising effort by making a donation of $1 or more at participating Pappas Restaurants locations across Texas between Sept. 12 and 25. Customers who dine at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse between Sept. 12 and Oct. 11 also can support this effort by purchasing a specialty dessert with a portion of proceeds supporting cancer research at MD Anderson.
Why choose MD Anderson for Waldenstr?m macroglobulinemia treatment?
Choosing where to go for cancer treatment is one of the most important decisions a patient can make.
Waldenstr?m macroglobulinemia is a rare cancer. Most doctors see only a few cases in their careers. As a top-ranked cancer center, MD Anderson treats hundreds of Waldenstr?m macroglobulinemia patients each year.
This gives MD Anderson physicians incredible expertise in treating Waldenstr?m macroglobulinemia. They use this to develop treatment plans for each patient¡¯s unique needs. Treatments may include cutting-edge immunotherapies and combination therapies that have the greatest effect on the disease while limiting side effects.
As a leading cancer center, MD Anderson is also home to several clinical trials for Waldenstr?m macroglobulinemia. Some of these may not be available anywhere else.
And at MD Anderson you will be surrounded by the strength of one of the nation's largest and most experienced cancer centers. From support groups to nutrition counseling to integrative medicine care, we have all the services needed to treat not just the disease, but the whole person.
The level of caring we experienced at MD Anderson was truly second to none