Waldenström macroglobulinaemia (WM)
Waldenström macroglobulinaemia (WM) is a slow-growing and rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). It affects blood cells called plasma cells.
Waldenström macroglobulinaemia (WM) at a glance
Waldenström macroglobulinaemia (WM) is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that affects blood cells called plasma cells. It’s slow growing and may not need treatment straight away.
For support around a blood cancer diagnosis, go to our just diagnosed section.
General symptoms include extreme tiredness and having lots of infections that last longer than usual. Other symptoms depend on how WM affects you personally. You’ll have a range of tests to confirm the diagnosis of WM.
The main treatment for WM is cancer-killing chemotherapy drugs. You may also have immunotherapy drugs which help your immune system to destroy cancer cells.
If you don’t have many symptoms when you’re diagnosed, you may not be treated straight away but will have regular check-ups to monitor the WM.
Your prognosis (what is likely to happen in the future), depends on your personal circumstances and how the WM develops.
Our research in lymphoma has focused on improving treatments. Read about our scientific impact on lymphoma.
